"In a Nov. 22-24 survey of 1,988 voters, roughly 1 in 10 Trump 2016 voters said a 2020 presidential candidate backing a ban on flavored e-cigarettes would be less likely to win their vote, with 8 percent saying they would be 'much less likely' to vote in favor of that candidate. The sample of 677 Trump voters has a margin of error of 4 percentage points."

Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist said in response to the poll findings:

"This poll showing the power of the vaping issue in driving how millions of Americans will vote confirms that people vote on issues of immediate and personal impact. The anti-vaping prohibitionists are threatening the lives of those Americans who use vaping as their way to stop smoking. They won’t go back without a fight.

"Woe to the politician who stands between the 10 million vapers and their choice for life and health. Americans want to be left alone to run their own lives and to protect their own health. Vapers have made a decision to stop smoking and choose the healthier path of vaping. Woe to the politician who stands between any American and their desire to lead a healthier, longer life."

Paul Blair, director of strategic initiatives at Americans for Tax Reform issued the following statement:

"Today's Morning Consult poll further validates what we have long said about the importance of vaper voters as a political constituency in 2020. The fact that 11 percent of Trump voters will be less likely to vote for the president next year if he implements a ban on most vapor products demonstrates that this issue could easily and singlehandedly cost him the election in states like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania."

Blair continued:

"This poll follows an October poll conducted by Trump campaign pollster John McLaughlin that showed 83% of adult vapor product consumers in the 17 battleground states in 2020 are likely to decide their vote based solely on a candidate’s position on nicotine vapor products and issues. That poll also showed that 74% of adult vapers would be less likely to vote for the President if he implemented a vape ban. McLaughlin concluded, 'The vapor consumers in Trump’s base would likely turn on him over this single issue.' Today's Morning Consult poll shows that an even broader constituency than vapers themselves may turn on the President over this issue.

Vaping is a political issue for more than 13 million adults because so many of them have successfully used these reduced risk alternatives to cigarettes to quit smoking. When you jeopardize people's livelihoods by threatening kill 150,000 jobs and put at risk the improved health of millions of adults by threatening to take away their access to e-cigarettes, you will lose votes. Personal health is a political issue and prohibition is a losing proposition."

The following groups and individuals oppose a ban on flavored vaping products for adults:

"The heads of all agencies shall review any regulatory standards they have temporarily rescinded, suspended, modified, or waived during the public health emergency, any such actions they take pursuant to section 4 of this order, and other regulatory flexibilities they have implemented in response to COVID-19, whether before or after issuance of this order, and determine which, if any, would promote economic recovery if made permanent, insofar as doing so is consistent with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order, and report the results of such review to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The heads of all agencies shall identify regulatory standards that may inhibit economic recovery and shall consider taking appropriate action, consistent with applicable law, including by issuing proposed rules as necessary, to temporarily or permanently rescind, modify, waive, or exempt persons or entities from those requirements, and to consider exercising appropriate temporary enforcement discretion or appropriate temporary extensions of time as provided for in enforceable agreements with respect to those requirements, for the purpose of promoting job creation and economic growth, insofar as doing so is consistent with the law and with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The heads of all agencies, excluding the Department of Justice, shall accelerate procedures by which a regulated person or entity may receive a pre-enforcement ruling under Executive Order 13892 with respect to whether proposed conduct in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including any response to legislative or executive economic stimulus actions, is consistent with statutes and regulations administered by the agency, insofar as doing so is consistent with the law and with the policy considerations identified in section 1 of this order." - The White House (5/19/2020)

"The FDA will allow states to take responsibility for tests developed and used by laboratories within their borders. The labs will not have to pursue Emergency Use Authorization from the agency, an emergency clearance that is normally required." - STAT News (3/16/20)

"Under certain circumstances, the agency will not object to any manufacturers that distribute newly developed tests before the FDA grants emergency clearance, and a similar stance will be taken toward labs that use these new tests." - STAT News (3/16/20)

"The EPA will exercise the enforcement discretion specified below for noncompliance covered by this temporary policy and resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic...

The consequences of the pandemic may affect facility operations and the availability of key staff and contractors and the ability of laboratories to timely analyze samples and provide results. As a result, there may be constraints on the ability of a facility or laboratory to carry out certain activities required by our federal environmental permits, regulations, and statutes. These consequences may affect reporting obligations and milestones set forth in settlements and consent decrees. Finally, these consequences may affect the ability of an operation to meet enforceable limitations on air emissions and water discharges, requirements for the management of hazardous waste, or requirements to ensure and provide safe drinking water... The enforcement discretion described in this temporary policy do not apply to any criminal violations or conditions of probation in criminal sentences. Appropriate consideration of potential criminal liability is discussed separately." - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (3/26/20)

"We continue to provide the opportunity for interested developers to request FDA authorization through the emergency use authorization (EUA) process. To date, we have already issued four EUAs for serological tests, and we expect that number to continue to grow in the coming weeks." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (4/18/20)

"The administration removed a regulation that required all test kits to be sent to a CDC lab to be confirmed by federal authorities, a process that extended the wait times for patients to be notified about their results." - Washington Examiner (3/13/20)

The "requirements that physicians or other health care professionals hold licenses in the State in which they provide services, if they have an equivalent license from another State (and are not affirmatively barred from practice in that State or any State a part of which is included in the emergency area)" are being waived. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (3/13/20)

"TSA is allowing passengers to bring liquid hand sanitizer containers up to 12 ounces in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately..." - Transportation Security Administration (3/13/20)

In order to allow patients to more easily communicate with their providers, the Administration loosened the HIPAA requirements surrounding telemedicine. This important change allows doctors to see patients via commonly used apps like FaceTime and Skype that were previously non-HIPAA compliant. - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (3/17/20)

"HHS Secretary Alex Azar waive certain laws to expand the use of telehealth, which public health experts say can help reduce risk of transmission. The new order appears to let Azar waive federal licensing requirements so out-of-state doctors can treat patients virtually in states with the greatest need." - Politico (3/13/20)

The Department of Education has moved to ease rules on colleges and universities who are shifting their classes online. There are a collection of rules being eased, not enforced. - Office of Postsecondary Education (3/5/20)

"Due to the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Acting Administrator of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has found that it is necessary or desirable to waive provisions of internal revenue law with regard to distilled spirits, and therefore is providing certain exemptions and authorizations to distilled spirits permittees who wish to produce ethanol-based hand sanitizers to address the demand for such products during this emergency." - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (3/18/20)

"Faster, Easier Qualification Process for States Seeking SBA Disaster Assistance. Historically, the SBA has required that any state or territory impacted by disaster provide documentation certifying that at least five small businesses have suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a disaster, with at least one business located in each declared county/parish. Under the just-released, revised criteria, states or territories are only required to certify that at least five small businesses within the state/territory have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of where those businesses are located." - Small Business Administration (3/17/20)

The Trump Administration has extended the tax deadline to allow more flexibility in filing during this chaotic time. Americans for Tax Reform still recommends that taxpayers file their returns as soon as possible. Most taxpayers get refunds, in total amounting to about $50B in refunds that could be injected into the economy now. Taxpayers should be encouraged to file their returns as soon as possible to get refunds NOW to help them recover.

"Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due." - Internal Revenue Service (3/18/20)

"First, the guidance describes the agency’s intention to exercise enforcement discretion for certain modifications to these FDA-cleared devices. Normally, any time a manufacturer or user makes a modification to a ventilator device, for instance, adding wireless and/or Bluetooth capability for remote monitoring, those modifications can often trigger an FDA premarket review, which can delay the time it takes to get these devices to the bedside. The guidance also helps manufacturers ramp up their manufacturing by adding production lines or alternative sites, for instance, using non-medical device manufacturers such as automobile manufacturers, to start manufacturing ventilator parts....Second, as outlined in this guidance, hospitals and health care professionals may use ventilators intended for other environments... Finally, the agency encourages manufacturers, whether foreign or domestic, to talk to FDA about pursuing an emergency use authorization (EUA), which would allow them to distribute their ventilators in the United States." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (3/22/20)

"Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) gave Puerto Rico and other territories the discretion to acquire personal protective equipment from non-U.S. sources… Previously, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia were obliged to purchase only U.S.-made personal protective equipment in accordance with the Buy American Act." - Reason (3/24/20)

"The 60-day grant of special temporary authority (STA) for use of the lower 45 MHz of the band is to help them serve rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCC said the grants will help with telehealth, distance learning and telework in rural communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia." - Multichannel News (3/27/20)

"CMS will allow communities to take advantage of local ambulatory surgery centers that have canceled elective surgeries, per federal recommendations. Surgery centers can contract with local healthcare systems to provide hospital services, or they can enroll and bill as hospitals during the emergency declaration as long as they are not inconsistent with their State’s Emergency Preparedness or Pandemic Plan. The new flexibilities will also leverage these types of sites to decant services typically provided by hospitals such as cancer procedures, trauma surgeries and other essential surgeries." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS will now temporarily permit non-hospital buildings and spaces to be used for patient care and quarantine sites, provided that the location is approved by the State and ensures the safety and comfort of patients and staff. This will expand the capacity of communities to develop a system of care that safely treats patients without COVID-19, and isolate and treat patients with COVID-19." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS will allow hospitals, laboratories, and other entities to perform tests for COVID-19 on people at home and in other community-based settings outside of the hospital. This will both increase access to testing and reduce risks of exposure. The new guidance allows healthcare systems, hospitals, and communities to set up testing sites exclusively for the purpose of identifying COVID-19-positive patients in a safe environment. In addition, CMS will allow hospital emergency departments to test and screen patients for COVID-19 at drive-through and off-campus test sites." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Physician-owned hospitals can temporarily increase the number of their licensed beds, operating rooms, and procedure rooms. For example, a physician-owned hospital may temporarily convert observation beds to inpatient beds to accommodate patient surge during the public health emergency." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"In addition, hospitals can bill for services provided outside their four walls. Emergency departments of hospitals can use telehealth services to quickly assess patients to determine the most appropriate site of care, freeing emergency space for those that need it most. New rules ensure that patients can be screened at alternate treatment and testing sites which are not subject to the Emergency Medical Labor and Treatment Act (EMTALA) as long as the national emergency remains in force. This will allow hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to screen patients at a location offsite from the hospital’s campus to prevent the spread of COVID-19." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Local private practice clinicians and their trained staff may be available for temporary employment since nonessential medical and surgical services are postponed during the public health emergency. CMS’s temporary requirements allow hospitals and healthcare systems to increase their workforce capacity by removing barriers for physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to be readily hired from the local community as well as those licensed from other states without violating Medicare rules." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is issuing waivers so that hospitals can use other practitioners, such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, to the fullest extent possible, in accordance with a state’s emergency preparedness or pandemic plan. These clinicians can perform services such as order tests and medications that may have previously required a physician’s order where this is permitted under state law." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is waiving the requirements that a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is under the supervision of a physician. This will allow CRNAs to function to the fullest extent allowed by the state, and free up physicians from the supervisory requirement and expand the capacity of both CRNAs and physicians." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS also is issuing a blanket waiver to allow hospitals to provide benefits and support to their medical staffs, such as multiple daily meals, laundry service for personal clothing, or child care services while the physicians and other staff are at the hospital and engaging in activities that benefit the hospital and its patients." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is temporarily eliminating paperwork requirements and allowing clinicians to spend more time with patients. Medicare will now cover respiratory-related devices and equipment for any medical reason determined by clinicians so that patients can get the care they need; previously Medicare only covered them under certain circumstances." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"During the public health emergency, hospitals will not be required to have written policies on processes and visitation of patients who are in COVID-19 isolation. Hospitals will also have more time to provide patients a copy of their medical record." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Building on prior action to expand reimbursement for telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries, CMS will now allow for more than 80 additional services to be furnished via telehealth. During the public health emergencies, individuals can use interactive apps with audio and video capabilities to visit with their clinician for an even broader range of services. Providers also can evaluate beneficiaries who have audio phones only." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"Providers can bill for telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. Telehealth visits include emergency department visits, initial nursing facility and discharge visits, home visits, and therapy services, which must be provided by a clinician that is allowed to provide telehealth. New as well as established patients now may stay at home and have a telehealth visit with their provider." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"CMS is making it clear that clinicians can provide remote patient monitoring services to patients with acute and chronic conditions, and can be provided for patients with only one disease. For example, remote patient monitoring can be used to monitor a patient’s oxygen saturation levels using pulse oximetry." - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (3/30/20)

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to BARDA to allow hydroxychloroquine sulfate and chloroquine phosphate products donated to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to be distributed and prescribed by doctors to hospitalized teen and adult patients with COVID-19, as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible." - Department of Health and Human Services (3/29/20)

"A Maryland federal judge on Friday said that he would grant a 120-day extension to the deadline for e-cigarette regulatory applications in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak that has strained U.S. Food and Drug Administration resources and disrupted supply chains.

Last week, the FDA asked the Fourth Circuit to extend the current May 12 deadline in light of the coronavirus outbreak, saying that many of the laboratories and research organizations conducting the clinical trials for the regulatory applications have shut down or otherwise halted in-person testing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic." - Law360 (4/6/20)

"In accordance with the COVID–19 Child Nutrition Response Act, USDA has granted a nationwide waiver, waiving the meal service time requirement during this public health emergency. This waiver allows for the serving of meals outside of the standard meal times for the following child nutrition programs: National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. FNS has provided this waiver to ensure children are still being fed, while still in support of social distancing recommendation." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (3/20/20)

"In accordance with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, FNS has granted a nationwide waiver allowing parents and/or guardians to pick up meals for their children, without the student needing to be present. This waiver is in support of social distancing and minimizes the exposure of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), it is effective immediately, and remains in effect through June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (4/14/20)

"Consistent with the agency's emergency rule on observer waivers during the COVID-19 pandemic and under the authority granted to the Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator at 50 CFR 648.11(c), NOAA Fisheries is extending the waiver granted to vessels with Greater Atlantic Region fishing permits to carry human observers or at-sea monitors for an additional two weeks, through April 18, 2020. We will continue to evaluate the need for further extensions of this waiver on a weekly basis." - National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (4/2/20)

"Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health issued new guidance under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act authorizing licensed pharmacists to order and administer COVID-19 tests that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized." - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (4/8/20)

"The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), March 19, to waive a section of federal law that governs retired VA workers. The waiver makes it easier for the department to rehire retired VA health care workers and will help VA health care facilities bolster their medical staffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. VA plans to use the waiver authority to begin hiring actions as early as this week, and the department is inviting interested retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, respiratory therapists and other medical professionals to register online." - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (3/24/20)

"The first guidance, “COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: General Considerations for Pre-IND (Investigational New Drug application) Meeting Requests for COVID-19 Related Drugs and Biological Products,” outlines a more efficient process for developers to receive agency feedback on their supporting data with the goal of starting clinical trials as soon as possible. The FDA is committed to helping sponsors get potentially effective products into study quickly, while protecting the safety of patients. To that end, the guidance provides sponsors clarity on the types of data and information they should provide to address clinical, nonclinical and quality considerations before submitting an application to initiate studies." - U.S. Food and Drug Administration (5/11/2020)

"A medical-delivery firm has received special permission to fly its drones farther than previously allowed in the United States, a COVID-prompted decision that advances the nascent drone-delivery industry here. ZipLine, which says its drones have flown more than 1.8 million hours delivering supplies in Africa, will fly supplies some 32 miles between a drone launch facility near Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center and the Novant Health Respiratory Assessment Center outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates flight over U.S. territory, granted ZipLine permission to deliver medical supplies beyond line of sight over civilian airspace. Unmanned aircraft in the United States have largely been limited to line-of-sight flights, or government operations. The Department of Homeland Security, which flies General Atomics drones on surveillance missions over portions of the U.S. border, mounted a 275-mile demonstration flight from Yuma, Arizona, and Grey Butte, California. But that flight, like ZipLine’s upcoming delivery service, required a special waiver from the FAA." - Government Executive (5/28/2020)

"The Federal Reserve Board on Friday announced an interim final rule to amend Regulation D (Reserve Requirements of Depository Institutions) to delete the six-per-month limit on convenient transfers from the "savings deposit" definition. The interim final rule allows depository institutions immediately to suspend enforcement of the six transfer limit and to allow their customers to make an unlimited number of convenient transfers and withdrawals from their savings deposits at a time when financial events associated with the coronavirus pandemic have made such access more urgent." - The Federal Reserve (4/24/2020)

"To ease strains in the Treasury market resulting from the coronavirus and increase banking organizations' ability to provide credit to households and businesses, the Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday announced a temporary change to its supplementary leverage ratio rule. The change would exclude U.S. Treasury securities and deposits at Federal Reserve Banks from the calculation of the rule for holding companies, and will be in effect until March 31, 2021. Liquidity conditions in Treasury markets have deteriorated rapidly, and financial institutions are receiving significant inflows of customer deposits along with increased reserve levels. The regulatory restrictions that accompany this balance sheet growth may constrain the firms' ability to continue to serve as financial intermediaries and to provide credit to households and businesses. The change to the supplementary leverage ratio will mitigate the effects of those restrictions and better enable firms to support the economy." - The Federal Reserve (4/1/2020)

"USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand today announced that USDA is granting lenders a temporary exception to offer payment deferrals for Agency guaranteed loan programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective immediately until September 30, 2020, lenders may offer 180-day loan payment deferrals without prior agency approval for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Rural Energy for America Program Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, and Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees. For additional information, see page 17721 of the March 31, 2020, Federal Register." - U.S. Department of Agriculture (3/31/2020)

"This Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) provides regulatory relief to persons who have been unable to comply with certain training, recent experience, testing, and checking requirements due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. This relief allows operators to continue to use pilots and other crewmembers in support of essential operations during this period. Additionally, this SFAR provides regulatory relief to certain persons and pilot schools unable to meet duration and renewal requirements due to the outbreak. This rule also allows certain air carriers and operators to fly temporary overflow aircraft, a need resulting from the outbreak, to a point of storage pursuant to a special flight permit with a continuing authorization." - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT) (4/30/2020)

"Licensed healthcare facility (LHF)-based NP practice allows collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer or designee, which may be in specific patient locations within the hospital such as Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit or elsewhere in the facility. Allows for the CMO or designee to have unlimited collaborations. A facility can have an unlimited number of CRNP/CNM. An application is not required as the LHF will perform record keeping for this. There is no fee associated with the LTF approval during this crisis period." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"NPs authorized to prescribe from a facility-approved formulary and perform all skills authorized in the facility protocols within the scope of the NP’s education and training. (controlled substance prescribing requires DEA registration through the ABME). The facility is authorized to develop related CRNP/CNM protocols supportive of patient care, based on the scope of practice for a CRNP/CNM." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"The State Health Planning and Development Agency and, as appropriate, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and the Certificate of Need Review Board, is hereby authorized and directed to promulgate emergency rules to provide for temporary waivers to the Certificate of Need process to permit new services, facilities, and other resources needed for the treatment of patients affected by... COVID-19... " - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (4/2/20)

"Notaries in Alabama who are licensed attorneys or operating under the supervision of licensed attorneys may notarize signatures through videoconferencing programs and confirm the signatures of witnesses who participate virtually through videoconferencing as though they were physically present at the signing." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"I hereby delegate to the Commissioner of Revenue the authority to postpone the April 15, 2020, due date for the payment of the following state taxes until July 15, 2020 for any "person," as that term is defined in Ala. Code…" - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"The licensure period applicable to emergency medical services personnel and provider services is hereby extended for the duration of the current state of emergency." - Office of Governor Kay Ivey (3/26/20)

"Suspends certain fees and fines within the Department of Health and Social Services, Department of Administration, Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, Department of Revenue, Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Fish and Game through May 11, 2020 unless otherwise noted." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/1/20)

Suspending several telehealth regulations to allow "phone consultations with another provider; to allow clinics to conduct assessments in ways other than face-to-face; to allow videoconferencing." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (3/31/20)

"To permit healthcare facilities to utilize space for patient care that may not have been designed and approved for such uses where approved facilities are not available due to surge in patients."- Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (3/31/20)

"Suspension of the statute only to the extent necessary to allow for: ( 1) curbside pickup of alcohol; and (2) delivery of beer and wine when included with an order of food being delivered by a licensed restaurant or eating place establishment." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"To suspend in-person skills testing requirement for initial certification for EMTI, II, III, and AEMT (Advanced EMT). To suspend in-person skills testing requirement for CPR certification. To suspend EMT recertification deadline. To suspend in-person skills testing for CPR certification of EMTs. To suspend requirement that an EMT whose certification has been expired for one to three years must apply for recertification. To suspend the cap of a maximum of 24 hours of Continuing Medical Education hours delivered through distance education." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/9/2020)

"Limited suspension of requirement that dependent children under the age of 23 attend on a full-time basis an accredited educational or technical institution recognized by the Department of Education and Early Development." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"To suspend fees for facilities that have closed, or are operating at reduced capacity, due to COVID-19 health mandates… To suspend collection of annual permit payments for facilities that have closed, or are operating at reduced capacity, due to due to COVID-19 health mandates." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/9/2020)

"To suspend the requirement for current holders of a preliminary certificate to submit passing scores on a competency exam. To suspend the requirement for applicants for an initial certificate to submit passing scores on a competency exam. To suspend the requirement for the issuance of teacher certificates for the completion of the required three semester hours of Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework. For initial teaching certificates, to suspend the requirements for the completion of the required three semester hours of Alaska studies and Alaska multicultural coursework." - Office of Governor Mike Dunleavy (4/14/2020)

"Governor Ducey notified the Center For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of his decision to exempt the State of Arizona from a federal regulation requiring Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to be supervised by a physician. The reform will expand access to care, especially in rural areas, and free up physicians for other needed medical services." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (3/24/20)

"Under the Executive Order, state agencies and boards will defer requirements to renew licenses that have an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and September 1, 2020 by six months from the expiration date, unless those requirements can be completed online. Additionally, they will defer requirements to complete continuing education by six months, unless those requirements can be completed online." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (3/26/20)

"The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System shall permit and the Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers shall certify an individual who completes on-the-job training as provided in this order as if the applicant had fulfilled the requirements for training required." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (4/14/20)

"No Arizona regulatory board shall enforce any statute, rule, or regulation that would require a medical professional who is licensed by that board and who is authorized to write prescriptions to conduct an in-person examination of an injured worker prior to the issuance of a prescription." - Office of Governor Doug Ducey (4/14/20)

"To fully leverage telehealth in Arkansas and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I am suspending the provisions… requiring an in-person encounter, or a face to face examination using real time audio and visual means to establish a professional relationship. Physicians licensed in Arkansas who have access to a patient's personal health record maintained by a physician may establish a professional relationship with a patient using any technology deemed appopriate by the provider... with a citizen located in Arkansas to diagnose, treat and if clinically appropriate, prescribe a non-controlled drug to that patient." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (3/24/20)

"A suspension of Arkansas Code to the extent necessary to allow emergency medical treatment protocol development or modification to occur solely with the approval of the Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (4/13/20)

"The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the 2019 individual income tax filing date and individual income tax payment date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson (3/23/20)

"For the duration of the declared emergency, waive any of the licensing and staffing requirements of chapters 1, 3.3, 8.5, and 9 of division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and any accompanying regulations with respect to any clinic, adult day health care, hospice, or mobile health care unit. Any waiver shall include alternative measures that, under the circumstances, will allow the clinic, adult day health care, hospice, or mobile health care unit to assist in the care or protect the health of individuals while protecting public health and safety." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"Any local ordinance, including those relating to noise limitations, is suspended to the extent it restricts, delays, or otherwise inhibits the delivery of food products, pharmaceuticals, and other emergency necessities distributed through grocery stores and other retail or institutional channels, including, but not limited to, hospitals, jails, restaurants, and schools." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"To ensure that patients with mental or behavioral health conditions continue to receive the services and support they need, notwithstanding disruptions caused by COVID-19; and to protect the health, safety and welfare of patients with mental or behavioral health conditions committed to the State Department of State Hospitals facilities, as defined by Welfare and Institutions Code Sections 4100 and 7200; the Director of the State Department of State Hospitals may issue directives waiving any provision or requirement of the Welfare and Institutions Code; any provision or requirement of the Penal Code that affects the execution of laws relating to care, custody, and treatment of persons with mental illness committed to or in the custody of the State Department State Hospitals." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/21/20)

"The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns. Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers. The executive order also includes extensions that impact state government workers, as well as consumers. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles will limit in-person transactions for the next 60 days, allowing instead for mail-in renewals. Additionally, the Department of Consumer Affairs will waive continuing education requirements for several professions, also for the next 60 days. Further, the order will extend the Office of Administrative Law’s deadlines to review regular department proposed regulations. The order also extends by 60 days the time period to complete investigation of public safety officers based on allegations of misconduct. Finally, deadlines for trainings, investigations, and adverse actions for state workers will also be extended." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/30/20)

"To the extent necessary and only for the duration of the declared emergency, waive any of the professional licensing and certification requirements and amend scopes of practice of chapters 2, 2.35, and 8 of division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and any accompanying regulations with respect to certified nursing assistants, home health aides, and nursing home administrators, and chapter 3, division 2 of the Business and Professions Code and accompanying regulations with respect to certified hemodialysis technicians." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (3/30/20)

"Some of the issues addressed in the executive order include granting a 60-day extension for customers on several Department of Motor Vehicles deadlines, including for recently expired drivers’ licenses and identification cards, to reflect public compliance with the COVID-19 stay at home order. It also suspends late fees from being applied to expired vehicle registrations." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The order will allow certain posting, filing and notice requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to be satisfied through electronic means to allow public access and involvement consistent with COVID-19 public health concerns." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order will temporarily allow retailers, particularly grocery stores, to provide bags to consumers without charge, and to pause redemption of beverage containers in-store to mitigate the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order also temporarily suspends the requirement for recycling centers to hold a minimum number of hours of operation and directs the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to develop and issue operating guidelines." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The executive order will temporarily suspend requirements for in-person signatures for people to obtain certain prescription drugs covered by Medi-Cal, and will allow a 90-day extension for providers on cost reporting, change of scope of service and administrative hearings." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/23/20)

"The order relaxes certain state privacy and security laws for medical providers, so they can provide telehealth services without the risk of being penalized. This action is similar to the federal HHS Office for Civil Rights waiver issued on March 17, 2020 regarding federal privacy and security laws." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/3/20)

"Under the executive order, adults will be able to obtain a marriage license, at the discretion of their local county clerk, through videoconferencing, as long as both adults are located within the State of California, are present, and can present identification during the video conference. The license can then be issued via email. Additionally, adults who wish to be married can conduct a ceremony to solemnize the marriage via videoconference, as long as both parties are present, and have at least one witness who can join the live video conference. The provisions will be in place for the next 60 days for those who wish to be married during that time." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (4/30/2020)

"Additionally, the order extends for 60 days the expiration dates for notaries public whose commissions are set to expire. The order also makes it clear that notaries public can use an expired Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license or identification card to confirm identification, consistent with prior action that extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and identification cards." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/8/2020)

"The order also waives the deadline to verify grade point average and waives certain certification requirements and selective service registration verification for Cal Grant applicants." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/19/2020)

"The order helps ease the strain on domestic violence service providers by waiving the 10 percent cash or in-kind matching requirements for state grants awarded to these organizations." - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom (5/19/2020)

"Governor Polis said he would order the state to expedite licensing of new medical professionals and asked medical professionals who might be retired or are in a different profession to reconnect with their prior employer to supplement the state’s health cares systems if and when medical professionals are diagnosed with COVID-19." - CPR News (3/13/20)

"In order to scale up our health care workforce capacity, I have asked the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies to cut through the red tape on licensing our medical professionals so that medical professionals - including pharmacists, nurses, doctors - who are licensed in other states but residing here can be immediately licensed in Colorado as quickly as possible to address this shortage." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/13/20)

"I temporarily suspend the restriction in C.R.S. § 43-3-101(3) that no commercial enterprise shall be conducted or authorized on any property designated as or acquired for or in connection with a freeway or highway by the department of transportation, or any other governmental agency for commercial food truck. I direct the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue temporary permits to allow commercial food trucks in Colorado’s rest and commercial trucking refueling areas to support truckers and commercial vehicle activity." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (5/2/2020)

"I temporarily suspend C.R.S. §§ 1-4-802(1)(d)(I) and 1-4-802(1)(f)(I), which establish the time period during which unaffiliated and independent candidates may circulate petitions." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/13/2020)

"I direct the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO), to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules to permit the licensed professionals... to cross train, supervise, and delegate responsibilities concerning the temporary care and treatment of patients to the professionals listed in Section II.B., in hospitals or inpatient medical facilities, including emergency departments, as long as such delegated responsibilities are appropriate based on the delegated professional’s education, training, and experience..." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/15/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the medical tasks that may be delegated to anesthesiologist assistants under C.R.S. § 12-240-107(7)(a), and I direct the Executive Director of DORA, through the Director of DPO, to promulgate and issue temporary emergency rules that allow certified nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologist assistants to perform airway management for COVID-19 patients." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/15/2020)

"I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order ordering the temporary suspension of certain statutes preventing the issuance of marriage licenses when county clerk and recorder offices are closed due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/26/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the enforcement of the statutory license limitations in C.R.S. §§ 44-3-301(3)(a), 44-3-901(1)(g), 44-3-901(10), and 44-4-107(6) to allow retailers licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption to sell, deliver, or provide for takeout of sealed alcohol beverages if the customer, who is over twenty-one (21) years old, also purchases food, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I also temporarily suspend the enforcement of the statutory license limitations in C.R.S. §§ 44-3-301(3)(a), 44-3- 901(1)(g), and 44-3-901(10) for breweries operating an approved sales room to sell, deliver, or provide for takeout of sealed containers of malt liquor, if the customer is over twenty-one (21) years old, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend C.R.S. § 25-1.5-106(2)(a.5)(I), which requires an appropriate personal physical examination for the issuance of medical marijuana cards, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020, to prevent exposure of COVID-19 among medical professionals and medical marijuana patients." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the prohibition on retail marijuana store online sales of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products in C.R.S. § 44-10-601(7)(c) to facilitate pick up by consumers twenty-one (21) years of age and older in a manner consistent with social-distancing guidelines promulgated by CDPHE, for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the vehicle gross weight provisions of C.R.S. § 42-4- 508(1)(c) for vehicles weighing 80,001 pounds to 84,999 pounds, to ensure the delivery of emergency goods and services to their destination in a safe and efficient manner for a period of thirty (30) days until April 18, 2020." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (3/20/2020)

"I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, hereby issue this Executive Order ordering the temporary suspension of certain statutes to expand the use of telehealth services due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (4/1/2020)

"Pursuant to the authority established in relevant provisions of the Act, C.R.S. § 24-33.5-701 et seq., I direct DHSEM and DHHA to enter into a contract to provide healthcare services consistent with the provisions of this Executive Order at the Colorado Convention Center ACS. While acting in good faith to comply completely with this Executive Order, and the resulting contract, to operate the Colorado Convention Center ACS, DHHA and its personnel shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for any action taken to comply with this Executive Order related to their activities at the Colorado Convention Center ACS pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-33.5-711.5(2). D. Pursuant to the authority established in relevant provisions of the Act, C.R.S. § 24-33.5-701 et seq., I direct DHSEM and UCHealth to enter into a contract to provide healthcare services consistent with the provisions of this Executive Order at The Ranch ACS. While acting in good faith to comply completely with this Executive Order, and the resulting contract, to operate The Ranch ACS, UCHealth and its personnel shall be immune from civil or criminal liability for any action taken to comply with this Executive Order related to their activities at The Ranch ACS pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-33.5-711.5(2)." - Office of Governor Jared Polis (5/20/2020)

"Authorizes the Office of Health Strategy to waive Certificates of Need and other requirements to ensure adequate availability of healthcare resources and facilities." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued... authorizes the Commissioner of Early Childhood to waive certain licensing and other requirements to maintain and increase the availability of childcare…" - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont today signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued... waives requirements for pharmacists to use certain personal protective equipment when working with non-hazardous, sterile compounds." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Governor Lamont today signed his third executive order since the enactment of the emergency declarations earlier this week. The order issued… allows pharmacists to compound and sell hand sanitizer." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/14/20)

"Temporary Suspension of Tax on Single-Use Checkout Bags. All provisions of Section 355 of Public Act 19-117, as codified in Section 22a246a of the 2020 Supplement to the Connecticut General Statutes, regarding single-use plastic checkout bags, are temporarily suspended through May 15, 2020, unless earlier modified, extended, or terminated by me. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall issue any implementing order he deems necessary, and any guidance for businesses on accounting or other necessary measures during this temporary suspension." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/26/20)

"Provisions to ensure adequate healthcare resources and facilities: The order allows the Office of Healthcare Strategy to waive certain requirements regarding certificates of need and other healthcare related requirements so ensure that the increased demand for healthcare resources and facilities can be met during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (3/16/20)

"Approval of Temporary Additional Nursing Home Beds for COVID-19 Recovery. Section 17b-354(a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, to the extent that it places a moratorium on the approval of additional nursing home beds by the Commissioner of Social Services, is suspended effective April 13, 2020, but solely with respect to: (i) entities designated by the Department of Public Health (DPH) to serve as Alternate COVID Recovery Facilities, as said term is established and defined pursuant to Executive Order No. 7Y; and (ii) additional nursing home beds as may be required at an existing skilled nursing facility to receive COVID-19 transfers from entities designated by DPH to serve as COVID Recovery Facilities, as said terms are established and defined pursuant to Executive Order No. 7Y." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/15/20)

"In accordance with the provisions of Section 28-9(b)(1) of the Connecticut General Statutes, for any contract entered into on or after March 10, 2020, the head of a state contracting agency may waive the provisions of the following statutes if he or she deems such waiver necessary to expedite the procurement of “essential goods,” ... a. which require the disclosure of certain gifts and campaign contributions by state contractors... b. which require the inclusion of language regarding contractors’ civil liability for violations of the state’s whistleblower statute... c. which require the competitive solicitation for all purchases and contracts for supplies, materials and equipment... d. which require the inclusion of certain anti-discrimination terms in State contracts... e. which require state contractors to permit certain audit and inspection activities by the State... f. which requires state contractors to comply with certain confidentiality requirements." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/14/20)

"Suspension of Requirements for Security Officer License. Section 29-161q of the Connecticut General Statutes and any statute, regulation or requirement or part thereof relating to unarmed Security Officer licenses is hereby modified to authorize the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to waive licensing requirements for the purpose of temporarily allowing security services or businesses to employ security officers who are not licensed in Connecticut but are licensed in another state." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/14/20)

"Sections 20-65k, 20-12b(b), 20-74d, 20-162o(c) and 20-195t of the Connecticut General Statutes are modified to waive any application fees for temporary permits and to extend the duration of the temporary permits for the health care professions governed thereunder (Athletic Trainer, Respiratory Care Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Occupational, Therapist/Assistants, Master Social Worker), for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated. The Commissioner may issue any implementing order she deems necessary to effectuate this order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"The provisions in Sections 20-70(b)(1), 20-70(b)(2), 20-74bb(f), and 20- 101 of the Connecticut General Statutes that permit practice prior to licensure by applicants and graduates for the health care professions governed thereunder (Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Assistant, Radiographer, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist), are modified to permit such practice for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated. The Commissioner of Public Health may issue any implementing orders she deems necessary to effectuate this order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 20- 195f of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to provide that, for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated, no license shall be required to practice as a marital and family therapy associate, as defined in Section 20-195a(4), for a person who has completed a graduate degree program specializing in marital and family therapy offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education or a postgraduate clinical training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education and offered by a regionally accredited institution of higher education." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 20- 195bb(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to permit a person who has completed the requirements in Section 20-195dd(b) to practice as a professional counselor associate without obtaining a license for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency, unless earlier modified or terminated." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Notwithstanding any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or any other state law, including the common law, or any associated regulations, rules, policies, or procedures, any health care professional or health care facility shall be immune from suit for civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been sustained because of the individual's or health care facility's acts or omissions undertaken in good faith while providing health care services in support of the State's COVID-19 response, including but not limited to acts or omissions undertaken because of a lack of resources, attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, that renders the health care professional or health care facility unable to provide the level or manner of care that otherwise would have been required in the absence of the COVID-19 pandemic and which resulted in the damages at issue, provided that nothing in this order shall remove or limit any immunity conferred by any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or other law." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/7/20)

"Section 21a317 of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to provide that out-of-state practitioners, working within the scope of practice for which the practitioner is licensed, registered or certified in another state, and in accordance with the order issued by the Commissioner of Public Health on March 23, 2020 authorizing certain out-of-state practitioners to provide care in Connecticut, or any superseding or amended order, may prescribe controlled substances in Connecticut without obtaining a Controlled Substance Registration from the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/30/2020)

"Section 20-12a of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to suspend the supervision requirements for physician assistants authorized to practice in the State of Connecticut set forth in Subsection (7)(A) subparts (iii) through (v), inclusive, and (7)(B) subparts (iii) through (v), inclusive, of said Section." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Section 20-87a(b)(2) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to suspend the requirement that a physician, medically directing the prescriptive activity of an advanced practice registered nurse who is prescribing and administering medical therapeutics during surgery, must be physically present in the institution, clinic or other setting where the surgery is being performed." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Section 20-162q(c) of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a respiratory care therapist student or a respiratory care technician student as specified in said subsection to provide services in accordance with the requirements of said subsection except that the services are not required to be a component of such person's course of study." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"The continuing education requirements in Chapters 370, 373, 376, 376a, 376b, 376c, 378, 379, 379a, 380, 381, 381a, 383, 383a, 383b, 383c, 384, 383d, 384a, 384c, 385, 387a, 388, 397a, 398, 399 and Section 19a-515 of the General Statutes are suspended for one (1) year for occupations and professions with annual education requirements, and for the other occupations and professions within said statutes, the continuing education completion period and reporting requirements are suspended for six (6) months. The continuing education requirements are modified as stated above for each person for the continuing education year in which March 10, 2020 lies for him or her." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Participation in Intern, Resident Physician, or United States Medical Officer Candidate Training Programs Prior to Permit Issuance. Section 20-11a of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a person to participate in an intern or resident physician program or United States Medical Officer candidate training program prior to issuance of a permit by the Department of Public Health provided that the hospital administrator documents that the person has satisfied the requirements for such a permit set forth in the statute... Participation in Resident Physician Assistant Program Prior to Permit Issuance. Section 20-12h of the Connecticut General Statutes is modified to allow a person to participate in a resident physician assistant program in a short-term hospital that provides a postgraduate medical education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, without a license or temporary permit issued pursuant to section 20-12b or a training permit issued by the Department of Public Health, provided that the hospital administrator documents that the person is to be appointed a resident physician assistant in such hospital and has satisfied the requirements of subdivisions (1), (2) and (5) of subsection (a) of section 20-12b." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (4/22/2020)

"Waiver of Requirement for Guest Books at Private Clubs. Section 30-23a is Connecticut General Statutes is suspended, and therefore, nonprofit clubs and golf country clubs shall not be required to maintain a guest book with information about member’s guests during public health and civil preparedness emergency." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/21/2020)

"Suspension or Modification of Regulatory Requirements to Protect Public Health and Safety. Notwithstanding Sections 4-168 to 4-174, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may temporarily waive, modify or suspend any regulatory requirements adopted under Title 10 of the Connecticut General Statutes as he deems necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the public health." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/18/2020)

"The Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies are modified to authorize the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services to provide additional support for caregiver relatives as follows: a. Section 17b-423-8(g)(3) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies is modified to allow Area Agencies on Aging to provide up to $7,500 per fiscal year to family caregivers for respite care services and to provide up to $1,500 per fiscal year for supplemental services." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/13/2020)

"Expedited Municipal Review of Outdoor Dining and Retail. Any Covered Law requiring an applicant to receive an approval or permit for outdoor food and beverage service, outdoor displays of goods, or COVID-19 Signage, which activities (other than COVID-19 Signage) end at 11 p.m. or earlier on Friday and Saturday nights and end at 9 p.m. or earlier all other days of the week (such activities being, the “Outdoor Activities”) is suspended to the extent that the Covered Law requires review and determination of any application for Outdoor Activities by a multi-member municipal agency or any by any entity other than an individual municipal official generally responsible for administrative enforcement of the relevant Covered Law, such as a zoning administrator or a building code official (such official and his or her designee being, the “Local Enforcement Official”), and modified to require all such reviews and determinations to be conducted only by the Local Enforcement Official." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Any Covered Law that does not explicitly allow Outdoor Activities or that prohibits Outdoor Activities shall be deemed to allow such activities as an accessory use to any location where food or beverages are served or goods are sold, as applicable, subject to review and approval by the Local Enforcement Official and reasonable conditions imposed through Local Enforcement Official review, provided that nothing in this order shall require a municipality to permit the sale or service of alcoholic beverages as a principal or accessory use anywhere that such activity is not permitted as a principal or accessory use, and provided further than nothing in this Order shall permit the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption independent of sale of food, or permit the operation of outdoor bars unless expressly permitted by further executive order or by rules or guidelines issued by the Department of Community and Economic Development pursuant to an executive order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Any Covered Law requiring a minimum number of parking spaces or prohibiting Outdoor Activities from taking place in parking lots is suspended to the extent required to permit such Outdoor Activities alone or in conjunction with any other authorized activity, including any activity required to enable the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Any Covered Law prohibiting Outdoor Activities from taking place in on-street parking spaces is modified to allow the Local Enforcement Official to permit this activity, consistent with the requirements of this Order." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"The Covered Laws are suspended to the extent they impose fees for applications filed pursuant to this Order for Outdoor Activities, and no fees for such applications shall be collected or be due and owed to the State or to any municipality for the duration of the emergency." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/12/2020)

"Pharmacists are Permitted to Order and Administer Food and Drug Administration Approved Tests for COVID-19. Notwithstanding any provision of the Connecticut General Statutes or Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Section 19a-36-D29 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies is modified to provide that pharmacists licensed pursuant to Chapter 400j of the Connecticut General Statutes are expressly permitted to order COVID-19 diagnostic tests consistent with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), including serology tests that do not require venipuncture, that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized. Pharmacists shall report all testing activities and any other information required by DPH in accordance with applicable orders, guidelines or other directives issued by the Commissioner of Public Health or her designees." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/7/2020)

"Authorization for DSS Commissioner to Temporarily Waive, Modify, or Suspend DSS Home Health Regulatory Requirements. Notwithstanding Sections 4-168 to 4-174, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Commissioner of Social Services may by written order temporarily waive, modify, or suspend any regulatory requirements adopted by the Commissioner of Social Services under section 17b-262 of the Connecticut General Statutes as the Commissioner of Social Services deems necessary to increase the access of Medicaid members to home health services." - Office of Governor Ned Lamont (5/5/2020)

"Effective April 15, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. E.D.T., any notarial act required under Delaware law is authorized to be performed, in addition to methods authorized under current law, by utilizing audio-visual technology (remote notarization)." - Office of Governor John Carney (4/15/20)

"The training requirements found in Section 3215 of Title 16 of the Delaware Administrative Code are hereby suspended. Previously untrained feeding assistants may undergo on-site training for the pendency of the state of emergency." - Office of Governor John Carney (3/30/20)

"To the extent not suspended by the Second Modification of the Declaration of a State of Emergency, all regulations requiring any in-person contact before or during telemedicine services provided by any medical professional are hereby suspended." - Office of Governor John Carney (3/30/20)

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, health care professionals, advanced life support professionals, and basic life support professionals holding a valid, unrestricted, and unencumbered license in any state, territory, and/or district may render such services in Florida during a period not to exceed thirty days unless extended by order of the State Surgeon General, if such health care practitioner does not represent or hold themselves out as a health care practitioner licensed to practice in Florida." - State Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20) ​​​​

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, qualified physicians under section 381.986, Florida Statutes [medical use of marijuana], may issue a physician certification only for an existing qualified patient with an existing certification that was issued by that qualified physician without the need to conduct a physical examination while physically present in the same room as the patient." - State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"For purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses licensed in Florida that have designated themselves as a controlled substance prescribing practitioner pursuant to section 456.44, may issue a renewal prescription for a controlled substance listed as Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV under chapter 893 only for an existing patient for the purpose of treating chronic nonmalignant pain without the need to conduct a physical examination of the patient. These practitioners may only substitute telehealth services for the physical examination." - State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"For the purposes of preparing for, responding to, and mitigating any effect of COVID-19, the provisions of chapters 499 and 465, Florida Statutes, and rules promulgated thereunder, that if applied, would operate to limit distribution, dispensing, or administration of otherwise legitimate prescription drugs in a manner that could hinder, prevent, or delay mitigation of any health-related condition are suspended for a period of thirty days, unless extended."- State Surgeon General Scott A Rivkees, Executive Order (3/16/20)

"I hereby suspend any Florida Statute that requires a quorum to be present in person or requires a local government body to meet at a specific public place... Local government bodies may utilize communications media technology, such as telephonic and video conferencing…" - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/20/2020)

"I hereby declare that certain FRS employees who have retired since October 1, 2019, or who may retire prior to or on August 1, 2020 under a state administered retirement system (i.e., FRS Pension Plan service retirement or Deferred Retirement Option Program (""DROP""), FRS Investment Plan, State University System Optional Retirement Program, Community College System Optional Retirement Program, and Senior Management Service Optional Retirement Program), may have the requirements of Section 121.091(9), F.S., tolled for completion of the 6-month termination period and the 7th-12th month re-employment limitation period if the re-employment or continued employment assists the COVID-19 emergency response. Any other statutory provision or implementing regulation limiting such re-employment shall also be suspended." - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/30/2020)

"A. I suspend the relevant portions of section 110. 123, Florida Statutes, and direct the Secretary of the Department of Management Services to amend the state employee health benefits plan documents effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, to include telehealth services at no additional cost to employees. B. I suspend the relevant portions of section 110.12315, Florida Statutes, and direct the Secretary of the Department of Management Services to amend the state employee pharmacy benefits plan documents effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, to include telehealth services, as appropriate, to employees participating in the SOI plan. C. I hereby direct the Department of Management Services, Division of State Group Insurance, to ensure that all state employees have access to telehealth services through the state's contracted HMO plans and PPO organization plan without cost sharing effective immediately through the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions." - Office of Governor Ron DeSantis (3/26/2020)

"Despite the selfless services that MUST Ministries provides, last year, government regulators stepped in and informed the charity that they can longer run the summer lunch program in the manner that they were accustomed.... Thanks to coronavirus, schools are temporarily closed across Georgia to contain COVID-19’s spread. The negative byproduct of this is that many underserved children, who would otherwise receive school lunches, now risk going hungry. To the government’s credit, schools are planning to somehow provide kids these lunches. According to 11Alive News, “To continue to support Cobb students while schools are closed, the Cobb County School District is partnering with MUST Ministries to provide food to students in need.”" - All On Georgia (3/19/20)

"That the Department of Community Health is authorized and directed to implement the suspension of Code Section 31-6-40 [Certificate of need required for new institutional health services] where such suspension would permit capable facilities to expand capacity, offer services, or make expenditures necessary to assist with the needs of this Public Health State of Emergency... That the Commissioner of the Department of Community Health or his designees is authorized and directed to implement waivers of those rules and regulations necessary to prohibit the prevention, hindrance, or delay of necessary action..." - Office of Governor Brian Kemp (3/20/20) [EO - Reducing Regulations to Assist the State’s Response to the Spread of COVID-19]

"Suspension of the following laws: Part IX of chapter 329, HRS, medical use of cannabis, to the extent necessary to allow the Department of Health to extend effective period of registration for qualifying patients and primary caregivers with registration cards with expiration dates in March and April for sixty (60) days." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/23/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Sections 329-32(a), 329-33(a), 329-38.2, HRS, uniform controlled substances act, and related administrative rules, to the extent necessary to allow out-of-state physicians and nurses to dispense (including prescribing and administering) controlled substances without having to register in Hawai‘i, as contemplated in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s COVID-19 Policy Concerning Separate Registration Across State Lines dated March 25, 2020." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Chapter 346, HRS, Part VIII, child care, and related administrative rules for child care licensing and subsidies, to the extent necessary such that the Director of the Department of Human Services, in his sole discretion and for the purpose of assisting those in need, may suspend fingerprinting requirements; suspend the requisite staffing configurations and the number of children per adult ratio for a child care establishment; suspend eligibility and other requirements for family units impacted by an emergency; disregard emergency related benefits in calculating child care subsidies; suspend application deadlines for child care subsidies; allow for redeterminations of eligibility and monthly payment amounts within 3 of 5 the eligibility period; and suspend subsidy payments for longer than one month when a payment amount is determined to be zero." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Suspension of the following laws: Section 453-1.3, HRS, practice of telehealth, to the extent necessary to allow individuals currently and actively licensed pursuant to chapter 453, HRS, to engage in telehealth without an in-person consultation or a prior existing physician-patient relationship; and to the extent necessary to enable out-of-state physicians, osteopathic physicians, and physician assistants with a current and active license, or those who were previously licensed pursuant to chapter 453, HRS, but who are no longer current and active, to engage in telehealth in Hawai‘i without a license, inperson consultation, or prior existing physician-patient relationship, provided that they have never had their license revoked or suspended and are hired by a state or county agency or facility or by a hospital, including related clinics and rehabilitation hospitals, nursing home, hospice, pharmacy, or clinical laboratory." - Office of Governor David Ige (3/29/20)

"Pursuant to sections 127A-9 and 127A-12(a)(5), HRS, I direct that during the pendency of the Emergency Proclamations, health care facilities, as defined in section 1 of this Executive Order, that in good faith comply completely with all state and federal orders regarding the disaster emergency, shall be immune from civil liability for any death or injury to persons, or property damage alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the health care facility, which death of or injury to persons, or property damage occurred at a time when the health care facility was engaged in the course of rendering assistance to the State by providing health care services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak... Pursuant to sections 127A-9 and 127A-12(a)(5), HRS, I direct that during the pendency of the Emergency Proclamations, health care professionals, as defined in section 1 of this Executive Order, who in good faith comply completely with all state and federal orders regarding the disaster emergency, shall be immune from civil liability for any death or injury to persons, or property damage alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the health 4 of 5 care professional, which death of or injury to persons, or property damage occurred at a time when the health care professional was engaged in the course of rendering assistance to the State by providing health care services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak..." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 457-7, HRS, registered nurses; qualifications; licenses; fees; title; existing licensed nurses; verification of licenses; eligibility, to the extent necessary to waive the licensure and accompanying requirements so as to permit graduates of nursing education programs approved by the State Board of Nursing, within 180 days following graduation, to be employed to practice nursing 4 of 11 under the supervision of a registered nurse, with the endorsement of the employing health care facility." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 457-8.5, HRS, advanced practice registered nurse; qualifications; licensure; endorsement; fees; eligibility, to the extent necessary to waive the licensure and accompanying requirements so as to permit graduates of an accredited graduate level education program preparing the nurse for one of the four recognized advanced practice registered nurse roles licensed by the State Board of Nursing, within 180 days following graduation, to be employed to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse, with the endorsement of the employing health care entity." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 461-9(a), HRS, pharmacist in charge; pharmacy personnel, and Sections 16-95-79(a), HAR, supervision by a registered pharmacist, and 16-95-80(a), HAR, physical presence of a registered pharmacist, to the extent necessary to allow a registered pharmacist currently and actively licensed pursuant to chapter 461, HRS, or pharmacy intern currently and actively permitted by the board, to fill, compound, or receive prescriptions by remote data entry." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The suspension of the following laws, as allowed by federal law, pursuant to section 127A-13(a)(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)...: Section 572-6, HRS, application; license; limitations, to the extent necessary to suspend the requirement that persons applying for a marriage license shall appear personally before an agent authorized to grant marriage licenses. During the time that this emergency order is effective, persons applying for a marriage license may appear by synchronous, real-time, interactive audio and video telecommunications before an agent authorized to grant marriage licenses." - Office of Governor David Ige (4/16/2020)

"The waivers will increase the capacity of Idaho’s healthcare system by broadening the use of telehealth and removing barriers on out-of-state providers treating Idaho patients through telehealth technology." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"The waivers... streamline the licensure of nurses and physicians, allowing inactive or retired providers to come back into the profession more quickly and easily." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"The waivers also enhance the care for Idaho patients by ensuring each Idahoan can access their chronic medications – such as those for diabetes -- by allowing emergency refill of up to 90 days for existing medications." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"Idaho citizens and businesses now have until June 15, 2020, to file their state income taxes and make any state income tax payments and apply for the Property Tax Reduction, Property Tax Deferral, and 100% Service-connected Disabled Veteran Benefit programs." - Office of Governor Brad Little (3/23/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provisions in the Healthcare Worker Background Check Act, 225 ILCS 46/33(g), that prohibit an individual from being hired to work as a certified nursing assistant if they have been inactive on the Health Care Worker Registry are suspended if the individual (1) has been in inactive status for a period of no more than 5 years, (2) was in good standing at the time they became inactive, and (3) completes and submits any forms required by the Department of Public Health." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/24/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, the provision of the Coal Mining Act, 225 ILCS 705/8.06, requiring the Miners’ Examining Board to hold an examination once in each calendar month, is suspended." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/24/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, section 10-35 of the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, 225 ILCS 41/10-35, stating that no license of a funeral director and embalmer intern shall be renewed more than twice, is suspended. Licensees must meet all other requirements for renewal as set forth by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (4/7/20)

"During the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation related to the outbreak of COVID-19, the requirement that a person must “appear before” a Notary Public commissioned under the laws of Illinois pursuant to the Illinois Notary Act, 5 ILCS 312/6-102, is satisfied if the Notary Public performs a remote notarization via two-way audio-video communication technology, provided that the Notary Public commissioned in Illinois is physically within the State while performing the notarial act and the transaction follows the guidance posted by the Illinois Secretary of State on its website." - Office of Governor J.B. Pritzker (3/26/20)

"The Division has granted a variance to Section 1290.410(c)(5) of the administrative rules made pursuant to the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act. The purpose of this Variance is to allow cannabis dispensaries to dispense cannabis outside of the limited access area... The exchange of cash and product must take place on the dispensary’s property or on a public walkway or at the curb of the street adjacent to the dispensary." - Illinois Department of Public Health (3/17/20)

"With many Illinois-based distillers shifting operations to produce needed hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is ensuring any alcohol purchases made for production be tax-exempt. Normally, distillers incur a tax liability based on the amount and strength of alcohol used in distillation. Last night, IDOR sent distillers guidance on how to claim a tax deduction on their alcohol purchases to remove any tax liability." - Illinois Department of Revenue (4/8/20)

"To obtain a marriage license, couples may appear before the county clerk and conduct a marriage ceremony using two-way audio-video communication technology, if certain conditions are met. Suspends the requirement that a fully executed marriage license must be submitted to the county clerk within 10 days. Suspends the requirement that a marriage license becomes effective one day after the date of issuance." - Governor JB Pritzker (5/1/2020)

"Suspends certain requirements, including the need for an adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to obtain an agent identification card from IDFPR prior to beginning work at a dispensary and the need for a medical or adult use cannabis dispensing organization agent to keep an agent identification card visible at all times when in the dispensary." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/30/2020)

"Suspends provisions in the teacher preparation programs. Suspends requiring internships for endorsements on professional educator licenses. Suspends requiring certain courses as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma for twelfth grade students who are unable to complete coursework as a result of the suspension of in-person instruction due to COVID-19." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/24/2020)

"Suspends certain provisions in the Illinois Insurance Code that require in-person education and/or exams within a certain time frame in order to maintain or obtain a professional insurance license." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/20/2020)

"Suspends the provision in the Radiation Protection Act of 1990 that limits the validity of industrial radiography certifications to five years and industrial radiography trainee certifications to two years. Industrial radiography certifications and industrial radiography trainee certifications that have expired or will expire may be extended." - Governor JB Pritzker (4/20/2020)

"Hospitals that continue to cancel or postpone all elective surgeries or procedures in order to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak, or Health Care Professionals providing service in such a Hospital, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Hospital or Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Hospital or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. Pursuant to Sections 15 and 21(b)-(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/15 and 21(b)-(c), I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, Hospitals that conduct elective surgeries or procedures beginning on or after May 11, 2020, or Health Care Professionals providing services in such a Hospital, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death relating to the diagnosis, transmission, or treatment of COVID-19 alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Hospital or the Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Hospital or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH." - Office of Governor JB Pritzker (5/13/2020)

"Pursuant to Sections 15 and 21(b)-(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/15 and 21(b)-(c), I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, Health Care Facilities or Health Care Professionals providing services in a Health Care Facility, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death relating to the diagnosis, transmission, or treatment of COVID-19 alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by the Health Care Facility or the Health Care Professional, which injury or death occurred at a time when a Health Care Facility or Health Care Professional was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing health care services consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. This section is inapplicable if it is established that such injury or death was caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Health Care Facility or Health Care Professional, if 20 ILCS 3305/15 is applicable, or by willful misconduct, if 20 ILCS 3305/21 is applicable. Pursuant to Section 21(c) of the IEMA Act, 20 ILCS 3305/21(c), and the Good Samaritan Act, 745 ILCS 49, I direct that during the pendency of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamations, any Health Care Volunteer, as defined in Section 1 of this Executive Order, shall be immune from civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been caused by any act or omission by such Health Care Volunteer, which injury or death occurred at a time when the Health Care Volunteer was rendering assistance to the State in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by providing services, assistance, or support consistent with current guidance issued by IDPH. This section is inapplicable if it is established that such injury or death was caused by willful misconduct of such Health Care Volunteer." - Office of Governor JB Pritzker (5/13/2020)

"The State Health Commissioner is authorized to waive the requirements of the nursing home certificate of need statute, as the Commissioner deems necessary to respond to COVID-19 issues for nursing homes and on terms and conditions appropriate for each situation." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/19/20)

"Waives requirement of pre-approval for hospitals converting non-isolation rooms to isolation rooms, so long as they send notice to ISDH and request an inspection. Waives requirement of pre-approval for hospitals converting unused or unlicensed space to temporary patient rooms. Specifies that room and units previously approved but not in current use may be operationalized without review or inspection." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/21/20)

"The provisions in Ind. Code… requiring a healthcare representative appointment be signed in the presence of the person making the appointment when the appointment is signed by a designee is waived when the person making the appointment is a COVID-19 patient..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/23/2020)

"If a pharmacy student has successfully completed all required course work at an accredited school, has applied for licensure, and has supplied PLA a certificate of completion… the provisions… requiring the NAPLEX and MPJE exams be taken and a background check being completed, will be suspended." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/15/2020)

"To the extent in-person or live continuing education requirements cannot be met for calendar year 2020 due to social distancing requirements imposed under the public health emergency or to the cancellation or postponement of courses during the public health emergency, any credit-hour limitations on distance education courses... are waived." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/15/2020)

"Ind. Code… is waived to allow a home health agency to accept written orders for home health services from any licensed physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant acting within the scope of his or her practice authorized under state law." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/7/2020)

"Individuals who seek to provide health care in the State of Indiana in response to this public health emergency who are not currently licensed or certified to practice in the state, either because their Indiana license or certification is no longer active or they are licensed or certified by another state, may obtain temporary authorization to provide health care services..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (4/7/2020)

"Suspend the provisions of Ind. Code… to the extent it prohibits the fill, refill and carryout of alcoholic beverages in bottles or containers--thereby allowing holders of on-permises permits to sell alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption and permit the filling of a container by the holder of a beer retailer's permit..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/23/2020)

"Motor carriers and drivers of commercial vehicles traveling in or through the State of Indiana and who are delivering food, goods and items to Indiana businesses and entities for purchase or use by Hoosiers as well as delivery of items for emergency preparedness and relief supplies/services are exempt from regulations restricting their hours of services..." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (3/13/2020)

"In order to expedite and facilitate health care provider access to COVID-19 test results for their patients, Ind. Code 16-41-8-1 is waived to the extent necessary to allow the Indiana Health Information Exchange, Inc. to receive COVID-19 information in the Indiana Network for Patient Care database from the ISDH." - Office of Governor Eric Holcomb (5/8/2020)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions... to the extent that they require a minimum number of hours of field experience if the higher education institution providing practitioner preparation program determines that the student has completed sufficient field experience to determine that the student should be recommended for licensure." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions... implementing administrative rules which prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant, by a licensee whose license is inactive or lapsed. Suspension of these provisions is limited to licenses which have lapsed or expired within the five (5) years prior to this Proclamation..." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6 (6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 135.61 through 135.73 requiring an institutional health facility to obtain a certificate of need prior to operating additional bed capacity. Suspension of these provisions is limited to the duration of this proclamation and is further limited to the provision of medical assistance and treatment of victims of this public health emergency." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (3/17/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.9(1), requiring the clear definition of authority, responsibility, and function of each nurse, to the extent that there is evidence that each nurse has been assessed competent in any area where they function." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.9(8), requiring the nursing service to have adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other personnel to provide nursing care, to the extent that the hospital has made all reasonable efforts to maintain sufficient staffing levels." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.50, requiring minimum standards of construction for hospitals, to the extent that the Department of Inspections and Appeals and State Fire Marshal’s Office have approved the location as one that sufficiently addresses safety and comfort for patients and staff." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/20)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rule 641-131.5(1) to the extent those provisions require in-person clinical experience, so long as alternative evaluation methods are used including but not limited to scenarios, case studies, or simulations. I hereby direct the Department to provide guidance to training programs regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rule 641-131.4(1)(f) to the extent those provisions require successful completion of the NREMT practical examination to be eligible for state certification, if the department determines that the candidate has completed the cognitive examination and should be granted an emergency certification to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the department. I hereby direct the department to provide additional guidance to candidates for certification regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code rules 650-1-1.2, 650-11.5, 650-12.1, and 650-12.4 to the extent an applicant is required to complete specific examinations as a prerequisite for initial licensure as a dentist or dental hygienist, if the dental board determines that the applicant has completed sufficient education and should be granted a temporary license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct the dental board to provide additional guidance to applicants regarding the effect of this suspension, including guidance on obtaining a temporary license." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/24/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Administrative Code rule 641-15.12(1), to the extent it requires a $25 penalty for each month or fraction thereof that the registration for a swimming pool or spa is not received by the Department of Public Health by April 30 or the first business day thereafter if the pool is closed during the month. I hereby direct the Department to issue a refund to any owner having already paid a penalty under this rule for the registration period that began on May 1, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (5/20/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 533A.2(7), 533D.3(7), 535B.4(2)(b), 535D.4, 536.30, 536A.32, and 543E.20(5) and Iowa Admin. Code rules 187-15.3(2), 187-16.3(2), 187-17.3(2), 187-18.2(2), 187-19.2(5), 187-20.3(2), and 187-25.2(3), which require the completion of background checks for initial applicants as a condition of obtaining professional licensure. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies governed by these provisions to, upon the expiration of this Disaster Emergency, conduct background checks for those applicants and take any necessary action resulting from completion of those checks, up to and including revocation of licensure." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (5/6/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 135B.20(1) and Iowa Admin. Code rule 481-51.1, and any statute or rule using terms defined in those provisions, defining a “doctor” and “medical staff” as requiring all doctors and medical staff be licensed to practice in this state, to the extent that individual is licensed to practice in another state or in accordance with Section 37 of the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued on April 2, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.5(4), requiring written criteria for the granting of clinical privileges, to the extent that policies shall not be required to be rewritten to accommodate waivers provided by the State or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rules 481-51.14(3), 51.14(4), and 51.15, requiring procedures for authentication of verbal orders and standing orders, to the extent that hospitals comply with federal regulation related to such orders." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rules 481-51.20(2)(d), requiring maintenance of a current diet manual, to the extent those manuals would be maintained at surge capacity sites." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.22, requiring hospital equipment be selected, maintained and utilized in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, to the extent it is not feasible to do so." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-51.30, requiring a hospital to have written policies and procedures specifying the scope and conduct of patient care to be provided in the emergency service, to the extent that policies shall not be required to be rewritten to accommodate this public health disaster emergency." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-58.11(1)(i), requiring a nurse aide who has not completed the state-approved 75-hour nurse’s aide program be required to participate in a structured on-the-job training program of 20 hours’ duration, to the extent that the individual has completed a comparable training course approved by the department of inspections and appeals or has completed at least 20 hours of the state-approved 75-hour nurse’s aide program and the facility has documentation that it has implemented training and supervision measures to ensure the individual’s competency in any tasks performed... Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 481-58.11(1)(k), requiring that certified nurse aides who have received training other than the Iowa state-approved program must pass a challenge examination, to the extent that the individual is able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents’ needs as required by 42 CFR § 483.35(c) and (d)(1)(i)... Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin Code rule 441-81.16(3), requiring minimum standards for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs the department of inspections and appeals may approve, to the extent that the program has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/10/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 231C.3(1)(c) and Iowa Admin Code rules 481—69.22(2) & 481—57.22(3) requiring an assisted living program and residential care facility to update a tenant’s or resident’s service plan within thirty days of occupancy or admission." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code chapters §§ 147.2, 148.3, 148.5, 148C.3, 152.7, 152B.7A, and any other implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit the practice of medicine and surgery, osteopathic medicine and surgery, nursing, respiratory care, and practice as a physician assistant for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the licensing board determines that the individual has completed sufficient education and should be granted an emergency license to practice in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r 281-79.16(4)(a), 645-31.6(2)(b)(12), 645-280.6(3), 645-240.6(2), 657-4.3, 645-300.3(4)(b)(2), 300.6(3)(a), and 300.6(3)(d), requiring the completion of clinical, practical, or internship experience as a condition of obtaining professional licensure to be a school administrator, mental health counselor, independent social worker, psychologist, pharmacist, or speech pathologist or audiologist. Suspension of these provisions shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any future extension of this suspension. I hereby direct all regulatory agencies or boards governed by these provisions to provide additional guidance to licensees regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 155A.7 and any implementing administrative rules to the extent they prohibit a pharmacist who is licensed in another state from engaging in the practice of pharmacy in this state prior to obtaining an Iowa pharmacist license due to requirements that are unable to be satisfied due to this Disaster Emergency. Suspension of this provision shall extend through the duration of this Proclamation and any further extension of this suspension. I hereby direct the Board of Pharmacy to provide additional guidance regarding the effect of these suspensions." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 155A.8 and any implementing administrative rules for an individual who has not yet obtained an initial license, if the board of pharmacy determines that the individual has completed sufficient education, is unable to sit for the required exams due to closed testing locations, and should be granted an emergency license to practice until such time as the individual is able to sit for the required exams in accordance with any guidance issued by the board. I hereby direct the board of pharmacy to provide additional guidance to applicants and licensees regarding the effect of this suspension." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6), I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-280.2 and 645-31.18, to the extent that they require out-of-state marital, family therapy, and mental health counselors, or social workers who provide services by telephone or other electronic means to individuals in the State of Iowa to be licensed in Iowa." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-29.6(3) requiring an applicant for a license as a plumbing or mechanical system professional to complete an examination within one year from the date of the application. I hereby direct the plumbing and mechanical systems board to provide additional guidance to its applicants and licensees regarding this suspension." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 123.30(3)(c) prohibiting a holder of a class “C” liquor control license from selling unopened bottles of wine or alcoholic liquor for consumption off premises. Class “C” licensees may continue to sell beer for consumption off premises. Beverages may be sold if promptly taken from the premises, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the beverage is delivered to customers off the premises. Suspension of this provision will now continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code § 123.130(4) and Iowa Administrative Code 185-4.6(3)(c) & (e) requiring that beer sold at retail at the manufacturing premises for consumption off the premises must be in-person and transferred to another container at the time of sale. Suspension of this provision will now continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"Pursuant to Iowa Code § 29C.6(6) and Iowa Code § 135.144(3), and in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Public Health, I continue to temporarily suspend the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code §§ 123.30(3)(c) and 123.49(2)(d), to the extent a class “C” liquor control license holder is prohibited from selling mixed drinks or cocktails for consumption off premises. Mixed drinks or cocktails may be sold if sealed with a lid or other method of securing the product and promptly taken from the premises prior to any consumption, such as on a carry-out or drive-through basis, or if the beverage is delivered to customers off the premises. Nothing in this provision alters or modifies the provisions of Iowa Code §§ 321.284 or 321.284A related to open containers in motor vehicles. Suspension of this provision is effective immediately and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020." - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/2/2020)

"The requirements that a person appear before a Notary Public commissioned under the laws of Kansas… are suspended and such requirements are satisfied if the Notary Public performs a remote notarization via two-way audio-video communication technology…" - Office of Governor Kim Reynolds (4/9/20)

"The order temporarily suspends non-essential fire inspections for new or renewal of KDADS-licensed facilities during the State of Disaster Emergency. The suspension will remain valid until 90 days after the State of Disaster Emergency is terminated, and all fees are suspended until that time." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"This order will give nursing facilities the latitude to create alternate care sites or designated units to ensure safe care for all residents and support adherence to infection control measures…" - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"A temporary license, certification, or registration may be issued for persons who were previously licensed, certified, or registration issued by a Kansas state agency or any board, commission, division or other licensing authority within the State…" - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"Any fees associated with reducing, increasing, or modifying an adult care home's bed capacity, are waived until 90 days following the termination of the State of Disaster Emergency." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/12/20)

"All state agencies shall extend renewal deadlines for any occupational or professional license, certificate, permit, or registration issued by a state agency or any board, commission, division, or other licensing authority within a state agency to any individual, business, or organization..." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (4/9/20)

"Kelly signed Executive Order #20-13, extending tax filing deadlines to July 15, 2020, and waiving any interest and penalties for returns and payments made on or before July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Laura Kelly (3/23/20)

"Subject to the requirements set forth herein, the provisions of K.S.A. 41-2653 are suspended to the extent such provisions require alcoholic beverages to be consumed on-premises and require the liquor to be sold it its original container, thereby allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption and permitting the sale of liquor in a container that is not the original container for any establishment holding a class A club, class B club license, or drinking establishment license." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas Statutes relating to supervision, delegation, and related issues by and to healthcare providers that are licensed, registered or certified and ancillary workers, are temporarily suspended, in whole or part, to the extent necessary to allow licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals to provide, within a designated health care facility at which the professional is employed or contracted to work, medical services that are necessary to support the facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are appropriate to the professional's education, training, and experience, as determined by the facility in consultation with the facility's medical leadership" - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow students who are enrolled in programs to become licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals to volunteer or work within the facility in whatever roles that are necessary to support to facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are appropriate to the students' education, training and experience." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow licensed, registered, or certified health care professionals and emergency medical personnel who are serving in the military in any duty status, to volunteer or work within the facility in whatever roles that are necessary to support the facility's response to the COVID-19 pandemic..." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Notwithstanding any law, regulation, or executive order to the contrary, and without the need for a clinical affiliation agreement, a designated health care facility is temporarily authorized… to allow medical students, physical therapists, and emergency medical personnel to volunteer or work within the facility as "respiratory therapist extenders" under the supervision of physicians, respiratory therapists, or advanced practice registered nurses." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas law are temporarily suspended, in whole or part, to the extent necessary to allow health care professionals licensed and in good standing in any state or territory in the United States to practice in Kansas without criminal, civil, or administrative penalty related to lack of licensure." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"Any and all provisions in Kansas law are temporarily suspended to the extent that they require for any health care professional, as a condition of licensure, certification, registration, or the renewal of a license, certification, or registration, or reinstatement within five (5) years of a lapsed license: an exam, to the extent that the exam's administration has been canceled while the emergency declaration is in effect; fingerprinting, as locations to have fingerprints taken are substantially unavailable on account of closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; continuing education while the emergency declaration is in effect; and payment of a fee." - Governor Laura Kelly (4/22/2020)

"During the State of Emergency under Executive Order 2020-215, KRS 314.042(8), KRS 314.042(10), and 201 KAR 20:057, Section 7 are suspended. These statutes and the regulation require that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have collaborative agreements with physicians as a prequisite for the prescribing of legend drugs and controlled substances within the Commonwealth." - Office of Governor Andy Beshear (3/31/20)

"Issued an executive order allowing critical workforce sectors to rehire previously retired workers to fill key roles. The order, which last the duration of the state of emergency, applies to law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, park rangers and corrections officers." - Office of Governor Andy Beshear (3/31/20)

"The requirement… that each state agency or professional or occupational licensing board or commission that regulates the practice of a healthcare provider promulgate any rules necessary to provide for, promote, or regulate the use of telehealth in the delivery of healthcare services within the scope of proactive regulated by the licensing entity is hereby suspended during the term of this emergency declaration." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"The ambulance staffing requirements set forth in R.S. 40:1135.1 (A)(2)(a) are hereby temporarily suspended as to ambulance drivers, provided that such driver possesses a driver's license valid in the State of Louisiana and meets the criminals background check requirements…" - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"All Public Post-secondary institutions and proprietary schools within the state of Louisiana that are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Regents shall be allowed to substitute in-person clinical and classroom instruction with online and lab simulations for enrolled students..." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/19/20)

"The added language in sections 3329 and 4513 will address the public health emergency crisis that is taking place in Louisiana. In Chapter 33, section 3329 the board may extend the expiration of temporary permits for new graduates who have been unable to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam or reinstate an expired permit during a public health emergency." - Louisiana Department of Health, Board of Nursing (3/2020)

"The collaborative practice agreement requirements of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing for advanced practice registered nurses… are suspended for this public health emergency." - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/31/20)

"The requirements that a certified nurse anesthetist provide anesthesia care under the direction and supervision of a physician or dentist licensed to practice in Louisiana… are temporarily suspended…" - Office of Governor John Bel Edwards (3/31/20)

"The requirement that an out-of-state registered nurse or an out-of-state advanced practice registered nurse obtain a license… in Louisiana… is temporarily suspended provided that such person has an active, unencumbered, unrestricted license… from any U.S. state, territory, or district..."

"Mandatory supervision or collaborative practice requirements for otherwise qualified physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses who are assisting or will assist in the health care response to COVID-19 are suspended during the public health emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"A physician, physician assistant, or nurse who is licensed in good standing in another state and who has no disciplinary or adverse action in the past ten years involving loss of license, probation, restriction or limitation, and who seeks immediate licensure to assist in the health care response to COVID-19, shall forthwith be issued an emergency Maine license that shall remain valid during the state of emergency. All physicians, physician assistants, and nurses licensed under this provision may provide health care services in-person in Maine or across state lines into Maine using telemedicine or telehealth." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"All physicians, physician assistants, and nurses who have retired in good standing in this State within two years of the date of this Order and who have no disciplinary or adverse action in the past ten years involving loss of license, probation, restriction, or limitation with no outstanding complaints or open investigations shall have their licenses immediately reactivated upon request and such license shall remain valid during the state of emergency. License application fees for licenses issued pursuant to this paragraph are waived." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"All physicians, physician assistants and nurses licensed in Maine or authorized to perform services pursuant to this emergency order shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of telemedicine or telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media to treat the residents of Maine for all medically necessary services. The enforcement of state patient privacy and confidentiality laws to the contrary are hereby suspended for the purposes of responding to the COVID-19 emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/20/20)

"Effective March 20, 2020 through April 30, 2020, the requirement to join the state's saltwater registry is waived. This temporary waiver is in conjunction with the Maine Department of Inland Fishery and Wildlife waiving the requirement for a fishing license." - Maine Department of Marine Resources (3/20/20)

"A. Any license of a polygraph examiner, polygraph examiner intern or contract security company issued by the Commissioner that is scheduled to expire during the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to 30 days following the termination of the emergency. B. Any license of a professional investigator issued by the Chief that is scheduled to expire during the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to 30 days following the termination of the emergency. C. Any license of an investigative assistant issued by the Chief that is scheduled to expire during the emergency or prior to the 180th day following the termination of the emergency shall have its expiration date extended to either the 180th day following the termination of the emergency, or for a duration equal to the number of days the emergency was in effect, whichever period is longer. D. During the emergency and for the period of 180 days following the termination of the emergency, the Board may extend beyond 180 days the 12-month periods in which full-time law enforcement officers must complete basic law enforcement training under 25 M.R.S. § 2804-C(l) and corrections officers must complete basic corrections training under 25 M.R.S. § 2804-D(l )." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/24/2020)

"This Order applies to all provisions of Maine law that require a signature to be acknowledged, witnessed or notarized in person, with the exceptions of: (a) solemnizing marriages, (b) administering oaths to circulators of state or local direct initiative or referendum petitions and nomination petitions of candidates for electoral office, and ( c) absentee ballots in state and local elections. This Order authorizes remote, not electronic, notarization. All requirements under Maine law pertaining to the taking of sworn statements and acknowledgments by notaries and those authorized to perform notarial acts, other than the requirement to appear in person, remain in effect during the effective period of this Order." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/8/2020)

"All Maine-licensed psychologists, psychological examiners, clinical social workers, clinical professional counselors, pastoral counselors, marriage and family therapists, alcohol and drug counselors, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, chiropractic doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, podiatrists, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, hearing aid dealers and fitters, audiologists, certified interpreters, certified deaf interpreters, limited interpreters, and limited deaf interpreters, athletic trainers, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, dietitians, radiologic technologists, respiratory care practitioners, and certified professional midwives may provide necessary health care services permitted by their licenses through the use of all modes of telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media. To the extent that requirements of any state patient privacy or confidentiality law, including but not limited to 22 M.R.S. § 1711-C, would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the provision of health care services through the use of telehealth authorized by this Order, enforcement of that law is hereby suspended. This Order does not expand the scope of practice for any type of licensee... All Maine-licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians may perform veterinary medicine services permitted by their licenses through all modes of telemedicine, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media, to treat veterinary patients of the state of Maine for necessary services. This Order does not expand the scope of practice for veterinarians or veterinary technicians." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/6/2020)

"The deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. §652 for an organization or institution to file an application for exemption from property tax is temporarily extended from April 1 until the commitment date of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/31/2020)

"A. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 3 6 M.R. S. § 1109 (1) is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Open Space and Farmland tax programs. B. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. §579 (2- A) is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 3 0 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Tree Growth tax program. 1 C. The annual current use taxation application deadline set forth in 36 M.R.S. § 1133 is extended from April 1 st until the commitments of the municipality or 30 days after the termination of the emergency, whichever occurs first. This includes the Working Waterfront tax program." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (4/9/2020)

"Enforcement of daily time of operation and day of the week restrictions in solid waste facility licenses… shall be suspended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/26/2020)

"The relevant provisions of Maine Revised Statutes... and related rules as they apply to mail order pharmacies, are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to allow any out-of-state entity, which is dispensing an investigational drug necessary to conduct a clinical trial, to ship the investigational drug to any Maine resident participating in the trial..." - Office of Governor Janet Mills (3/26/2020)

"Any inactive practitioner may, at a health care facility in Maryland, engage in activities that would have been authorized under his/her inactive license without first reinstating his/her inactive license." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/16/20)

"Maryland has removed limits on purchases of craft beer and distilled spirits purchased at tap and tasting rooms for the duration of the governor’s state of emergency, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced Wednesday." - Washington Post (3/18/20)

"Motor vehicles transporting equipment or supplies directly related to the COVID-19 state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency and needed to protect the public health, welfare, or safety are allowed a 15% tolerance above any weight limit imposed by statute." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/18/20)

"The effect of any statute, rule, or regulation of an agency of the State or a political subdivision inconsistent with this order is hereby suspended, including, without limitation, any statute, rule, or regulation that would prevent laboratories in Maryland from developing and performing testing for COVID-19..." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/23/20)

"An individual need not be in the physical presence of a notary public who performs a notorial act if: (a) they communicate with each other simultaneously by sight and sound through a communication technology…" - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/30/20)

"Restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other entities holding a State of local license to manufacture or sell alcoholic beverages… may deliver off-premises, or sell if promptly taken from the premises before consumption, alcoholic beverages in sealed containers to purchasers..." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/19/20)

"The Executive Director of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services… may suspend the effect of any provision… upon a finding that such suspension will: (a) Not endanger the public health, welfare, or society; (b) Augment the emergency medical services workforce; and (c) Improve the response to the state of emergency and catastrophic health emergency." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (3/19/20)

"Governor Hogan issued an executive order that amends the previous May 20 order regarding telehealth by expanding these services beyond audio-only methods. With this order, healthcare providers may engage in asynchronous telehealth services, such as email, provided that any and all telehealth practices are clinically appropriate, properly documented, and otherwise comply with proper standards of care." - Office of Governor Larry Hogan (4/1/2020)

"In an urgent response to the coronavirus threat, the state medical board voted to let doctors treat more patients online, made it easier for them to practice at multiple hospitals, and vowed to speed up the licensing of medical school graduates." - Boston Globe (3/16/20)

"The new rule approved by the board makes it explicit that a doctor can treat a patient whom he or she has never seen in person as long as the physician considers it best for the patient during the health crisis." - Boston Globe (3/16/20)

"Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has… lifted local bans on plastic bags at grocery stores and pharmacies as part of his administration's latest steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus." - Boston Business Journal (3/25/20)

"Suspend the requirements for physician supervision and written guidelines for prescriptive practice for APRNs who have at least 2 years of supervised practice experience." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/26/20)

"On March 24, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order exempting certain activities from determination of need approval, that are necessary to address COVID-19." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/24/20)

"All graduates of International Medical Schools who have satisfactorily completed at least two years of postgraduate medical training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association or in an accredited Canadian program shall be eligible for licensure. The Board shall review and approve such applications by expedited process." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (4/9/20)

"For the duration of the state of emergency, students who have graduated from registered nursing or practical nursing programs approved by the Board of Registration in Nursing ("Board") and senior nursing students who are attending the last semester of a Board approved registered nursing or practical nursing program are authorized to practice nursing..." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (4/9/2020)

"Individuals who have within the last ten years held a license to practice as a health care provider that was issued by a Massachusetts licensing authority, including but not limited to a state agency, a board of registration or division with licensing authority within a state agency, and whose license, registration, certification or authorization has expired, lapsed or been retired but is not revoked, suspended, surrendered or subject to any non-disciplinary restriction shall have their licenses immediately renewed or reactivated upon request..." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/3/2020)

"Through this letter, DPH authorizes use of space on, adjacent to, or reasonably proximate to the clinic premises selected by the clinic for testing of possible COVID-19 patients for the length of the declared state of emergency, provided that the clinic complies with the below Guidelines for Use of Space for Screening of Patient Presenting with possible COVID-19 Exposure or Illness, hereinafter referred to as Guidelines, and receives such local approval as may be necessary for the erection and use of temporary structures." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (5/12/2020)

"Pharmacy technicians licensed by the Board of Registration in Pharmacy ("Board") may perform remote processing of patient-specific prescriptions on behalf of a Massachusetts licensed pharmacy or health care facility without direct on-site supervision by a Board-licensed pharmacist." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"A pharmacist holding a pharmacist license in good standing from a state other than Massachusetts may practice pharmacy on behalf of a Massachusetts licensed pharmacy or health care facility during the State of Emergency…" - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"In the event a patient's prescription does not have any remaining refills and the patient's presciber is not available to authorize a new prescription, pharmacists and pharmacies are authorized to dispense a refill of medication for continuation of therapy for a chronic condition in accordance with the pharmacist's professional judgment." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"Retail pharmacies and institutional pharmacies may engage in central filling activities of patient specific prescriptions or orders, including compounded sterile and complex non-sterile preparations. A pharmacy engaging in central filling for one or more pharmacies." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/24/2020)

"The Department recognizes the staffing challenges that programs face at this time. For this reason, the Department is temporarily withdrawing its BSAS [Bureau of Addiction Services] Staffing Guidelines requiring programs to staff to license capacity, and instead will allow programs to staff according to census." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/7/2020)

"The Department is issuing a blanket Waiver from the requirement that consultation [for acupuncture service] be provided “on site” and encourages the use of telemedicine as appropriate and in the discretion of the Qualified Health Care Professional." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (4/7/2020)

"Waiver issued to sections of 105 CMR 170.305 to reduce required staffing of each ambulance to one EMT and/or one Paramedic, depending on level of ambulance, with a driver who is a first responder, as defined in MGL c. 111, section 111C and 105 CMR 171.000 (excluding lifeguards)." - Massachusetts Department of Public Health (3/20/2020)

"Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced an agreement to extend the 2019 state individual income tax filing and payment deadline from April 15 to July 15 due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. This income tax relief is automatic and taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms to qualify." - Office of Governor Charlie Baker (3/27/2020)

"In response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency the Board is making available an Emergency 90 Day Limited License for medical school graduates who received an appointment as an intern, resident or fellow at a Massachusetts health care facility or in a training program approved by the Board." - COVID-19 State of Emergency the Board (3/20/2020)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”) may issue an emergency certificate of need to an applicant and defer strict compliance with the procedural requirements of section 22235 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.22235, until the termination of the state of emergency under section 3 of Executive Order 2020-4." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) may grant a waiver under section 21564 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.21564, to any licensed hospital in this state, regardless of number of beds or location, for the purpose of providing care during the COVID-19 emergency, to construct, acquire, or operate a temporary or mobile facility for any health care purpose, regardless of where the facility is located." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs may allow a non-nursing assistant such as an activity coordinator, social worker, or volunteer to help feed or transport a patient or resident in a manner consistent with the patient’s or resident’s care plan." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Effective immediately and continuing through April 14, 2020 at 11:59 pm, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) may issue a temporary registration as a certified nurse aide to an applicant, regardless of whether the applicant demonstrates to LARA that they have successfully completed the examination requirements of sections 21911 and 21913 of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.21911 and MCL 333.21913." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/18/20)

"Strict compliance with subsection (3) of section 78g of the General Property Tax Act (“GPTA”), 1893 PA 206, as amended, MCL 211.78g(3), is temporarily suspended. As a result, the deadline by which property forfeited to a county treasurer must be redeemed is extended from March 31, 2020 until the later of (a) May 29, 2020, or (b) 30 days after the termination of the state of emergency under section 3 of Executive Order 2020-4." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/2020)

"Temporarily authorizes suspension of supervision and delegation requirements for Michigan APRNs by select facilities at which the professional is employed or contracted to work." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/29/20)

"Strict compliance with section 20954 of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20954, and Rules 325.22321 to 325.22325 and 325.22336 to 325.22338 of the Michigan Administrative Code is temporarily suspended so as to permit the Department to waive verification of ongoing education requirements when reviewing an application for renewal or relicensure of an emergency medical services personnel license. If the application is for relicensure, the Department may only waive verification if the applicant has been licensed by the Department within the last five years. All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster must be deemed unexpired and not to expire until six months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"Strict compliance with Rule 325.22112 of the Michigan Administrative Code is temporarily suspended so as to allow for the transport of a patient, whether emergency or non-emergency, to any destination designated by the medical control authority." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"The requirements administered by the Department of Treasury (“Department”) concerning licensure of motor carriers under section 5 of the Motor Carrier Fuel Tax Act (“MCFTA”), 1980 PA 119, as amended, MCL 207.215, are temporarily suspended and must not be enforced, along with any and all fines, penalties, or criminal sanctions under the MCFTA for violations of those requirements, for motor carriers providing critical assistance related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/7/20)

"Pharmacists located in any county in this state may dispense emergency refills of up to a sixty (60) day supply of any non-controlled maintenance medication for residents of any county in this state if, in the pharmacist’s professional judgment, failure to refill the prescription might interrupt the patient’s ongoing care and have a significant adverse effect on the patient’s well-being." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may temporarily operate a pharmacy in an area not designated on the pharmacy license, but they may not prepare sterile drug products beyond low-risk preparations, as defined by USP standards, for immediate inpatient administration in such temporary facilities." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may dispense and/or administer drugs as needed to treat COVID-19 pursuant to protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Institute of Health, or as determined appropriate by the chief medical executive of the Department of Health and Human Services or her designee." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may substitute a therapeutically equivalent medication for a medication subject to critical shortages without the authorization of a prescriber. The pharmacist must inform the patient of any such substitution. The pharmacist must inform the prescriber within a reasonable period of time of any prescriptions or refills dispensed under this section. A prescriber must not incur any criminal or civil liability or licensing disciplinary action as the result of a pharmacist filling or refilling a prescription under this section." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"To increase the number of pharmacists who can serve patients during this time of need, preceptors may supervise student pharmacists remotely to fulfill eligibility for licensure and avoid delaying graduation." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacists may supervise pharmacy technicians and other pharmacy staff remotely. Supervision must be conducted through a real-time, continuous audiovisual camera system, capable of allowing the pharmacist to visually identify the markings on tablets and capsules. The pharmacist must have access to all relevant patient information to accomplish the remote supervision and must be available at all times during the supervision to provide real-time patient consultation. A pharmacy technician may not perform sterile or nonsterile compounding without a pharmacist on the premises." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Pharmacies holding a license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by another state must be deemed licensed to do business in this state. These out-of-state licensed pharmacies must not deliver controlled substances into this state; must abide by all Michigan regulations applicable to the practice of pharmacy, but need not have a pharmacist-in-charge with a license to practice in Michigan; and must hold a current accreditation from a national organization approved by the Michigan Board of Pharmacy before providing sterile compounding services to patients in this state." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"Wholesale distributors holding a license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by another state must be deemed licensed to do business in this state. These out-of-state wholesale distributors must not deliver controlled substances into this state and must abide by all Michigan regulations applicable to a Michigan-licensed wholesale distributor." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/19/2020)

"All health care providers are authorized and encouraged to use telehealth services when medically appropriate and upon obtaining patient consent. To facilitate the provision of telehealth services: Written consent for treatment is not required. A health care provider may obtain verbal consent for telehealth services and must document such consent in the patient’s file before providing telehealth services. Health care providers engaging in telehealth services may use asynchronous store-and-forward technology for the transmission of medical information. Providers may use interactive, real-time, two-way audio in combination with asynchronous store-and-forward technology. Remote patient monitoring, which may or may not take place in real-time, may be conducted as part of telehealth services. As used in this order, “remote patient monitoring” means digital technology to collect medical and other forms of health data from an individual..." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/14/2020)

"A physician is not required to conduct an in-person examination before prescribing medication or ordering the administration of medication, including controlled substances except for methadone." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/14/2020)

"Strict compliance with section 7a of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 PA 116, as amended, MCL 722.117a, is suspended as follows: A provisional license may be issued without submission to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) of an acceptable plan to overcome the deficiency present in the child care organization within the time limitations of the provisional licensing period. A provisional license may be issued with an expiration date no earlier than one month after the date of issuance and no later than six months after the date of issuance, and may be renewed at the discretion of LARA until the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster. Strict compliance with subsection (2) of section 5m of the Child Care Organizations Act, 1973 PA 116, as amended, MCL 722.115m(2), is suspended, as follows: An employer may establish and maintain a disaster relief child care center without a license from LARA. A school district or a nonpublic school may establish and maintain a disaster relief child care center in a school building without a license from LARA." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/13/2020)

"All state and local seasonal load restrictions are suspended for deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/12/2020)

"Strict compliance with section 2 of 1972 PA 222 (state personal identification card), as amended, MCL 28.292, is temporarily suspended to the extent necessary to extend until June 30, 2020 the validity of a state personal identification card that expired or is set to expire between February 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/13/2020)

"All state and local road agencies must exercise their authority on an expedited basis to issue permits that allow non-seasonal load restrictions to be exceeded. These permits must reflect bridge weight tolerances, and they must apply to deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/11/2020)

"All state and local restrictions on the noise and timing of loading and deliveries are suspended for loading and deliveries that meet immediate needs for: (1) medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID-19; (2) supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and the prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and disinfectants; (3) food for the emergency restocking of stores; (4) equipment, supplies, and persons necessary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) persons designated by federal, state, or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and (6) persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (5/11/2020)

"Strict compliance with the annual-inspection requirements for life support vehicles and life support agencies under section 20910(1)(e)(iii) of the Public Health Code, 1978 PA 368, as amended, MCL 333.20910(1)(e)(iii), is temporarily suspended as follows. The Department of Health and Human Services (“the Department”) must inspect a life support vehicle or life support agency when the Department has reason to believe that the vehicle or agency is out of compliance. Any such inspection must, to the greatest extent possible, be conducted remotely, such as by videoconferencing, telephone conversation, and electronic review of required documents." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Strict compliance with the ambulance-staffing requirements under section 20921(3) of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20921(3), is temporarily suspended as follows. An ambulance must be not operated while transporting a patient unless it is staffed with emergency medical services personnel possessing at least the following qualifications: a. If designated as providing basic life support, with at least one emergency medical technician and one medical first responder. b. If designated as providing limited advanced life support, with at least one emergency medical technician specialist and one medical first responder. c. If designated as providing advanced life support, with at least one paramedic and one medical first responder." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"All emergency medical services personnel licenses that have expired since March 10, 2020 or that would expire during the declared states of emergency and disaster must be deemed unexpired and not to expire until six months after the end of the declared states of emergency and disaster." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Compliance with sections 20961(1)(a) and 20961(1)(d) of the Public Health Code, MCL 333.20961(1)(a) and (d), is temporarily suspended, so as to permit the Department to grant a license under Part 209 of the Public Health Code to an applicant licensed in another state without regard to whether the applicant meets the requirements of Part 209 of the Public Health Code and the rules promulgated by the Department for licensure or whether the state in which the applicant is licensed maintains licensure standards equivalent to or more stringent than those of this state." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"Consistent with section 11(4) of the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.411(4), any emergency medical services personnel or life support agency that provides medical services in support of this state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not liable for an injury sustained by a person by reason of those services, regardless of how or under what circumstances or by what cause those injuries are sustained, unless it is established that such injury or death was caused by the gross negligence, as defined in MCL 30.411(9), of such emergency medical services personnel or life support agency." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (4/8/2020)

"As result of changed behavior in response to COVID-19, there is currently an unexpected oversupply of higher volatility winter-blend gasoline, which cannot be sold as of April 1, 2020 under standard vapor pressure requirements. Temporarily extending the period of time during which the winter-blend gasoline can be sold will enable distributors to safely shift to a lower volatility gasoline supply with as little in-person work and travel as possible, while also ensuring that this state maintains a reliable supply of gasoline adequate to meet its critical needs during this emergency... Rule 4(g) of Regulation No. 564, promulgated by the Laboratory Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, 1987 AACS, as amended, R 285.564.4(g) of the Michigan Administrative Code, is temporarily suspended." - Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/30/2020)

"As the state continues to respond to COVID-19, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is extending the Sales and Use Tax grace period on Sales and Use Tax payments for businesses identified in Executive Order 20-04. The department will not assess penalties or interest as follows: Identified businesses with a monthly Sales and Use Tax payment due March 20, 2020, will now have until May 20, 2020, to make that payment. Identified businesses with a monthly or quarterly Sales and Use Tax payment due April 20, 2020, will now have until May 20, 2020, to make that payment." - Minnesota Department of Revenue (4/9/20)

"Governor Walz today signed legislation allowing takeout sales of beer and wine from bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the Governor encouraged the legislature to take up the issue, the bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the House and Senate." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/17/20)

"Executive Order 20-37 extends the provisions outlined in Executive Order 20-06, which exempted COVID-19 response vehicles and drivers from certain regulations, including limits on weight and hours of service. This relief helps ensure the continued free flow of critical relief supplies and other essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/17/20)

"Executive Order 20-31 exempts septic tank trucks from seasonal load restrictions on Minnesota roads. Many residential septic systems are failing to keep up with increased usage due to more Minnesotans teleworking and staying at home. Septic system service companies are receiving a high volume of calls from homeowners in need of emergency pumping services and lifting these restrictions will allow them to meet increased demand." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/8/20)

"Executive Order 20-32 allows MDH to use regulatory flexibility to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic by authorizing the Commissioner of Health to suspend certain requirements for facilities that fall within MDH’s regulatory authority. This includes waiving the bed moratorium for hospitals and nursing homes to add surge capacity and allowing the establishment of free standing alternate care sites." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/8/20)

"Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-27 to lift hours of service requirements for truck drivers transporting livestock feed or fertilizer, in order to support Minnesota’s agriculture community while they work to keep Minnesotans fed during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/3/20)

"Executive Order 20-25 extends licenses of peace officers, firefighters, and private security personnel and defers continuing education requirements for peace officer licenses that are set to expire soon. The Order allows professionals on the front lines of combatting COVID-19 to maintain their licenses and continue supporting Minnesotans during the peacetime emergency." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (3/31/20)

"Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 12.42, I authorize and request Out-of-State Healthcare Professionals who hold an active, relevant license, certificate, or other permit in good standing issued by a state of the United States or the District of Columbia to render aid in Minnesota during the peacetime emergency declared in Executive Order 20-01 (including any extensions of that peacetime emergency)." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/25/2020)

"The weight-related regulatory provisions of Minnesota Statutes 2019, sections 169.8261, 169.86, and 169.87, are temporarily suspended, to the extent that those provisions require a special permit or restrict the overweight movement of wood products, including biomass and forage, used exclusively for the composting process of animals that have been depopulated due to impacts of COVID-19... Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to emergency relief efforts by transporting wood products, including biomass and forage, used exclusively for the composting process of animals that have been depopulated due to impacts of COVID- 3 19, are exempted from paragraphs (b) and (c) under the Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 395.3, which are incorporated in Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 221.0314, subdivision 9, pertaining to hours of service." - Office of Governor Tim Walz (4/24/2020)

"The licensure board is allowing out of state physicians to practice telemedicine without being licensed here, as long as they contact the board for authorization, are licensed and in good standing where they practice." - WDAM (3/16/20)

"This Executive Order temporarily modifies 1 Miss. Admin Code Pt. 5, R.1.5 for the duration of the State of Emergency and for fourteen days thereafter and allows notaries public commissioned under the laws of this State to perform a notarization for a principal not in the physical presence of the notary public..." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/6/20)

"In order to cope with and respond to the COVID-19 emergency… provisions… are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to delay the expiration of all valid driver's licenses, learner's permits, intermediate licenses, firearm permits, security guard permits and ID cards set to expire between March 14, 2020, and June 30, 2020. Such licenses, permits and ID cards shall instead expire on August 3, 2020." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/20/20)

"Any Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Facility, absent a showing of malice, reckless disregard or willful misconduct, shall be immune from suit for civil liability for any injury or death alleged to have been sustained because of the Healthcare Professional's or Healthcare Facility's acts or omissions while providing healthcare services including, but not limited to, screening, assessing, diagnosing, treating patients for COVID-19 or otherwise acting in support of the State's COVID-19 response, including but not limited to acts or omissions undertaken because of a lack of resources..." - Office of Governor Tate Reeves (4/10/20)

"During this event, the Missouri HealthNet Division is: Waiving the requirement that physicians must have an established relationship with the patient before providing services via telehealth." - Missouri Department of Social Services (3/23/20)

"During this event, the Missouri HealthNet Division is: Waiving the requirement that, in order to treat patients in this state with telemedicine or telehealth, health care providers shall be fully licensed to practice in this state. MHD will allow providers to bill for telehealth services as long as they are licensed in the state in which they practice." - Missouri Department of Social Services (3/23/20)

"Montana Secretary of State’s Office announced Tuesday it will waive the late filing fee for businesses until July 15 in response to the emergency order related to the coronavirus." - Havre Daily News (4/8/20)

"The State of Nebraska is providing this same income tax relief to state income taxpayers. The tax filing deadline will automatically be extended to July 15, 2020 for state income tax payments and estimated payments that were originally due on April 15, 2020. Nebraskans who are able to pay earlier are encouraged to do so to help the State manage its cash flow." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/23/20)

“Our restaurants and bars have been some of the hardest hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Ricketts. “I've signed an executive order to help them by allowing takeout for pre-made cocktails and other alcoholic beverages as long as they are sealed with a lid.” - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/26/20)

"The order is intended to activate nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and schools to help provide the care families need now. It eases the licensing requirements to open and operate a temporary, non-residential child care in an alternative setting. The executive order is effective immediately and will remain in place until 30 days after the State lifts the current COVID-19 state of emergency." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts

"The Governor’s order authorizes the credentialing of retired or inactive health professionals who wish to serve Nebraskans during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) emergency." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/27/20)

"The provisions of Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 71-5829.03(3)-(4) which require certificates of need for long-term care and rehabilitation beds and impose a moratorium on such beds are temporarily suspended in order to permit hospitals to add or convert any beds to long-term care or rehabilitation beds in appropriate locations to care for COVID-19 patients who no longer require acute care support and to prepare for patients who require longer lengths of stay for supportive care." - Office of Governor Pete Ricketts (3/31/20)

"The expiration date on all active business and occupational licenses, including those dependent on the payment of a renewal fee, regulatory fine, or submission of mandatory reporting forms, issued by the DMV for new and used car dealerships, salespersons, automobile wreckers and dismantlers, body shops, garages, emissions stations, emissions inspectors, drive schools, short- and long-term lessors, and salvage pools, are extended for a period of 90 days from the expiration date shown on the license or registration for those licenses or registrations expiring during the time period of March 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (3/20/20)

"All statutory and regulatory requirements related to applications for Programs of Distance Education are suspended for the duration of the Declaration of Emergency regarding COVID-19…" - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (3/20/20)

"Any specific time limit set by state statute or regulation for the commencement of any legal action is hereby tolled from the date of this Directive until 30 days from the date the state of emergency declared on March 12, 2020 is terminated." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"The waiver and exemption of professional licensing requirements shall apply to qualified providers of medical services during this declared emergency who currently hold a valid license in good standing in another state, providers of medical services whose licenses currently stand suspended for licensing fee delinquencies, providers of medical services whose licenses currently stand suspended for failure to meet continuing medical education requirements, and providers of medical services who have retired from their practice in any state with their license in good standing." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"A provider of medical services during this emergency is authorized to supervise students in their profession to provide any emergency medical services as is appropriate to the student's knowledge and skill level without further licensure or certification." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"All providers of medical services in the State of Nevada are authorized to practice outside the scope of their specialization, within the limits of their competency, to the extent necessary to augment and bolster Nevada's healthcare system during the COVID-19 crisis." - Office of Governor Steve Sisolak (4/1/20)

"Temporary authorization for take-out or delivery beer or wine. All restaurants, diners, bars, saloons, private clubs or any other establishment that have both a restaurant license and on premise license from the New Hampshire liquor commission shall be temporarily authorized to allow for takeout or delivery of beer or wine." - Office of Governor Sununu (3/18/20)

"All medical providers shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of teleheatlh, including video and audio, audio-only, or other electronic media, to treat the residents of the state of NH for all medically necessary services." - Office of Governor Sununu (3/18/20)

"Any out-of-state personnel, including, but not limited to, medical personnel, entering New Hampshire to assist in preparing for, responding to, mitigating the effects of, and recovering from COVID-19 shall be permitted to provide services in the same manner as prescribed in RSA 21-P:41 and any other applicable statutory authority with respect to licensing and certification regarding mutual aid during emergencies for a period of time not to exceed the duration of this emergency." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"Any state-owned properties that DAS, in consultation with the Division of Public Health and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, determines are suitable for use to assist in preparing for, responding to, mitigating the effects of, or recovering from COVID-19 shall be made available to the Division of Public Health and/or the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for this purpose, notwithstanding any state or local law that would restrict, delay, or otherwise inhibit such use." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"To ensure hospitals and other health facilities are able to adequately treat patients who may be infected with COVID-19 or who are legally isolated as a result of COVID-19, and to prevent overburdening of existing resources of hospitals and health facilities, the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services may waive any of the licensing or credentialing requirements of RSA Chapter 151 and accompanying regulations with respect to any hospital or health facility. Any waiver shall include alternative measures that, under the circumstances, will allow the facilities to treat legally isolated patients while protecting public health and safety. Any waivers granted pursuant to this paragraph shall be posted with the hospital or health facility's existing license." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"The Commissioner of Health and Human services, in consultation with the State Fire Marshall, shall have the authority, on a case by case basis, to waive licensing requirements for day care facilities to allow for temporary provision of child care by ( 1) employers for children of their employees; (2) licensed day care facilities in situations where temporary exceedance of maximum enrollment may be necessary; and (3) any other circumstance in which the Commissioner determines that waiver of licensing requirements is necessary and will not adversely impact child safety. The State Fire Marshall shall have the authority to waive, on a case by case basis, the requirements of the provisions of the fire code related to child centers, consistent with the provisions of this paragraph." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/13/20)

"In order to provide New Hampshire citizens and businesses with a secure and safe method by which to execute important legal documents, and to promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, for the duration of the State of Emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-04 and subject to the provisions of this Order, a notarial officer commissioned under the laws of this State may perform a notarization for an individual not in the physical presence of the notary officer if: (A) the individual and the notarial officer can communicate simultaneously by sight and sound through an electronic device or process at the time of the notarization..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, all licensed New Hampshire pharmacists and pharmacies may compound and sell hand sanitizer over the counter…" - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To protect the public's health and increase access to medical care in New Hampshire, and to promote and secure the safety and protection of the people of New Hampshire, any out-of-state pharmacy seeking to ship investigational drugs to clinical trial participants who reside in New Hampshire and who are unable to retrieve the investigational drugs from the out-of-state pharmacy due to the novel coronavirus shall be allowed to operate as if the out-of-state pharmacy were licensed as a mail-order pharmacy within the state of New Hampshire... " - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To protect the public's health and increase access to medical care in New Hampshire, any out-of-state medical provider whose profession is licensed within this State shall be allowed to perform any medically necessary service as if the medical provider were licensed to perform such service within the state of New Hampshire..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"To further the temporary remote instruction and support of New Hampshire children, in-state and out-of-state medical providers shall be allowed to perform health care services through the use of all modes of telehealth, including video and audio, audio-only, and/or other electronic media to New Hampshire children enrolled within a New Hampshire school or in a school in another state..." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (3/23/2020)

"For any patient experiencing severe, advanced COVID-19 symptoms or COVID-19 complications who does not have the capacity to consent himself or herself to an experimental treatment, it is hereby ordered that the provisions of RSA 137-J:5, V(d) are waived and that an agent, as defined in RSA 137-J:2, III and RSA 137-J:5, shall have the authority to consent to experimental treatments, authorized by an Institutional Review Board, on the patient for COVID19 symptoms or complications for the duration of the State of Emergency as extended and in accordance with the terms of Paragraph 3 below." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (4/30/2020)

"To address staffing shortages at long-term care facilities and meet the needs of some of New Hampshire's most vulnerable populations, the position of temporary health partner is hereby authorized to work in a skilled nursing facility, notwithstanding any provision of RSA 326-B:14... The position of temporary health partner shall not be considered a substitute for the licensure under RSA 326-B:14 but is intended to assist the work of licensed nursing assistants. The temporary health partner shall not perform services independently, and must be supervised by licensed nurses at all times." - Office of Governor Chris Sununu (5/11/2020)

"Authorizing the Division of Consumer Affairs to temporarily reactivate the licensees of healthcare professionals previously licensed in the State within the last five years. This will enable doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who have recently retired or have allowed their licenses to lapse to temporarily reactivate their license." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"Temporarily waiving certain scope of practice restrictions on Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) related to physician collaboration, including a rule requiring that an APN enter into a joint protocol with a collaborating physician and a rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs.New Jersey Expanding scope of practice for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) Temporarily waiving certain scope of practice restrictions on Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) related to physician collaboration, including a rule requiring that an APN enter into a joint protocol with a collaborating physician and a rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"In a temporary rule waiver adopted today, the Division is now allowing supervising nurses to conduct required plan-of-care evaluations by phone or video-chat instead of in person. The change guards against the spread of COVID-19 from healthcare workers to elderly and medically fragile individuals by making in-person supervisory visits, which typically occur at least every 60 days, unnecessary." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (3/30/20)

"The Governor directed departments to identify opportunities to support broader access and departments have identified opportunities to do so, including the waiving of co-pays, allowing the use of telephonic telehealth and tele-mental health services, allowing patients to use services from the comfort of their own homes, and increasing flexibility in the technological platforms used to deliver services and more." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (3/22/20)

"Suspends requirement for NPs to have joint protocol with a collaborating physician, requirement for chart review, requirement for physician name on prescriptions, and waives rule requiring APNs to obtain authorization from a collaborating physician in order to dispense narcotic drugs." - Office of Governor Phil Murphy (4/1/20)

"In the event of a State of Emergency as declared by the Governor of New Jersey in an Executive Order, that so significantly affects the ability of a licensed inpatient facility to offer its full array of services or forces it to evacuate its patients/residents, or causes a licensed facility to accommodate evacuated patients/residents from another facility, the Department of Health (Department) will not require prior Department approval of temporary waivers for the following requirements from licensed facilities that are affected by such an event: 1. Exceeding licensed bed capacity; 2. Bed additions requiring prior Certificate of Need approval; 3. Physical space requirements; or 4. Staff qualifications requirements." - New Jersey Department of Health (3/13/20)

"I direct the New Mexico Department of Transportation to create a streamlined process for Emergency Expedited Special Permits (EESP) that would allow overweight vehicles and loads that can be easily dismantled or divided to travel in New Mexico with a total gross weight with load up to eighty-eight thousand (88,000) pounds... To be eligible for an EESP, the applicant's vehicle and load must be primarily delivering relief supples." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (4/1/20)

"All nursing professionals who are licensed and in current good standing, in any province or territory of Canada, may be authorized… to work in any New Mexico healthcare facilities during the pendency of any declared public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (4/2/20)

"I direct the Secretary of TRD to issue an instruction to employees at MVD that temporarily waives the collection of all late fees or other penalties that are triggered by the failure of an applicant to timely submit an application or other required documentation for a registration, license, permit, or other privilege under the Motor Vehicle Code." - Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (3/30/20)

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that as part of the new state-mandated take-out and delivery-only rule, restaurants and bars would also be allowed to sell all forms of alcohol to-go. - New York State Liquor Authority (3/17/20)

"New York won’t enforce it’s recently enacted plastic bag ban for another two months, the state announced this week... pushing back the enforcement date from April 1 to May 15. While the ban went into effect at the beginning of March, the enforcement was delayed due to a suit brought on by New York businesses who argue they had little time to prepare. The suit is essentially on hold as the courts prioritize cases amid the coronavirus crisis and critics claim the ban is a health risk. Industry groups called the move a blessing for retailers as well as customers who are worried about using reusable bags at a time when contamination is a key concern." - NY Daily News (3/19/20)

Laws that mandate that the only cleaning products that schools and the state can purchase are those that “minimize adverse impacts on children’s health and the environment” was suspended. Similarly, the procurement guidelines on buying these products have been relaxed. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Twenty-one other sections of Social Services regulations and a couple of sections of Social Services law dealing with day care have been put on ice. These suspensions will end capacity limits for day care facilities, let children of any age attend them and eliminate mandatory staffing minimums." - Politico (3/19/20)

"Every state or local law dealing with construction, energy conservation, or building codes can be suspended by the Commissioner of Health when creating new hospitals or extensions to existing ones." - Politico (3/19/20)

"The Commissioner of Health will be able to establish a new training program that will let individuals who are not currently registered as nurses engage in tasks that one currently needs to be licensed for. They’ll be able to “collect throat or nasopharyngeal swab specimens” from potentially infected individuals and will generally be able to perform all other tasks “otherwise limited to the scope of practice of a licensed or registered nurse” as long as they’re being supervised by a nurse... People who are not licensed in the state as clinical laboratory technicians, but do “meet the federal requirements for high complexity testing,” will be allowed to preform Covid-19 tests. Doctors and nurse practitioners will be able to give nurses blanket authority to perform Covid-19 tests without supervision." - Politico (3/19/20)

"Individuals with disabilities will no longer need to be “accompanied by same gender staff” while being transported from state facilities. This will “permit providers to utilize staff members in the most effective means possible.”" - Politico (3/19/20)

"Physicians who are licensed anywhere in the country are now able to practice in New York without getting a state license. The same goes for other health care licensees. " - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

The approval process needed for giving a patient a drug that’s not on the state’s preferred list is suspended “to the extent necessary to allow patients to receive prescribed drugs, without delay.” Also, a law that requires managed care providers to consult with prescribers before deciding whether to cover some drugs was suspended. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Paragraph 1 of Section 6542 of the Education Law and Subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 94.2 of Title 10 of the NYCRR to the extent necessary to permit a physician assistant to provide medical services appropriate to their education, training and experience without oversight from a supervising physician without civil or criminal penalty related to a lack of oversight by a supervising physician." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/23/20)

Some limits on what kinds of vehicles can be on New York roads have been suspended, to let those “validly registered in other jurisdictions” participate in response efforts. - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (3/19/20)

"Any issuance of a marriage license application, marriage license, or witnessing or solemnizing of the marriage ceremony, that is required under New York State law is authorized to be performed utilizing audio-video technology provided that the following conditions are met: The couple seeking the marriage services, must present valid photo ID to verify identity whenever required by law the during the video conference, not merely transmit it prior to or after; the video conference must allow for direct interaction between the couple and the town or city clerk, the witness or the person to solemnize the marriage (e.g. no pre-recorded videos of the person signing or engaged in the marriage ceremony)..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/18/20)

"Sections 6512 through 6516, and 6905, 6906 and 6910 of the Education Law and Part 64 of Title 8 of the NYCRR, to the extent necessary to allow registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse practitioners or a substantially similar title licensed and in current good standing in any province or territory of Canada, to practice in New York State without civil or criminal penalty related to lack of licensure..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/16/20)

"Section 6801 of the Education Law, to the extent necessary to authorize licensed pharmacists to order COVID-19 tests, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to detect SARS-CoV-2 or its antibodies, and to administer COVID-19 tests subject to certificate of waiver requirements pursuant to the federal clinical laboratory improvement act of nineteen hundred eighty-eight, in patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection, or suspected of having recovered from COVID-19 infection, subject to completion of appropriate training developed by the Department of Health..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/25/20)

"Subdivision (6) of section 571 of the Public Health Law, to the extent necessary to permit licensed pharmacists to be designated as a qualified healthcare professional for the purpose of directing a limited service laboratory, pursuant to subdivision 579(3) of the Public Health Law, to test patients suspected of a COVID-19 infection or its antibodies provided that such test is FDA-approved and waived for use in a limited service laboratory..." - Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (4/25/20)

"North Carolina temporarily lifted a regulation requiring hospitals to get state permission to add beds. The rule said hospitals couldn’t add more than 10% of their licensed bed capacity without state approval... Applying for a CON can cost as much as $500,000, and the state board which grants CONs doesn’t meet for months." - The Tribune Papers (3/15/20)

"DPS, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Transportation ("DOT"), shall waive the maximum hours of service for drivers prescribed by DPS pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-381. DPS, in conjunction with DOT, shall waive certain size and weight restrictions and penalties... for vehicles transporting equipment and supplies for the restoration of utility services, and vehicles carrying essentials and equipment for any debris removal in support of emergency relief efforts in the Emergency Area." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/14/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: (i) Allowing practice in North Carolina by health care professionals that are licensed in other states, but not in North Carolina..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: (ii) Allowing retired or inactive health care professionals to provide care..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 3 takes several actions meant to add additional health care workers to the North Carolina system. First, in Section 3(A), the Governor delegates to each professional health care licensure board the authority to waive or modify enforcement of any legal or regulatory constraints that would prevent: ... (iii) Allowing skilled, but unlicensed volunteers to provide care; and/or (iv) Allowing students to provide care if they are at an appropriately advanced stage of professional study." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 5 suspends certain regulations that could prevent or impair providing mental health and substance use disorder treatment services and support services for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (“MH/DD/SAS” services). To allow MH/DD/SAS services to continue to be provided—and to authorize these services to be provided by telehealth..." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Section 6(B) allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive or modify the enforcement of regulations on initial assessments or supervisory visits, adapting those provisions for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is delegated authority to waive or modify enforcement of the following regulations: Regulations on initial assessment for agencies providing in-home aide services, including but not limited to 10A N.C. Admin. Code 13J .1107.; Regulations on supervisory visits for in-home caregivers, including but not limited to 10A N.C. Admin. Code 13J .1110.; Any regulations that are related to the provisions listed above." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

"Because of the COVID-19 crisis, private health care providers are facing extreme difficulty in maintaining their workforce. Section 6(C) allows private health care providers, other than child care providers, to avoid a problem indirectly caused by certain counties failing to offer fingerprinting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some counties currently fail to offer fingerprinting. Without fingerprinting, national background checks cannot be performed, although state background checks can still be performed. National background checks are required for certain new hires. Therefore, under Section 6(C), the Secretary of Health and Human Services is delegated the authority to give health care providers (other than child care providers) additional time to complete the national background check part of a new hire’s application." - Office of Governor Roy Cooper (4/8/20)

Burgum ordered state agencies to identify "any state laws, rules or regulations that hinder or delay their ability to render maximum assistance or continue to deliver essential services to citizens during the COVID-19 crisis. State elected officials and other executive branch offices were invited to do the same." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

Burgum suspended several regulatory and statutory requirements in order to "allow for expanded telehealth services in North Dakota as residents practice social distancing and medical facilities try to limit in-person visits to slow the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The... executive order requires law enforcement agencies and private sector businesses to recognize any North Dakota driver’s license or motor vehicle registration that expired on or after March 1, 2020, as valid and current as long as the executive order is in effect." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The licensing requirements for hospitals and other health care facilities… and all related provisions under the North Dakota Administrative Code are hereby suspended…"- Office of Governor Doug Burgum (3/20/20)

"The nationwide criminal history record check requirements under North Dakota healthcare or behavioral health licensing statutes… are temporarily suspended during this declared state of emergency." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (4/3/20)

"N.D.C.C. 54-44-04.6(3) [[Surplus property must be transferred at fair market value to state agencies, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations eligible to receive federal surplus property under the Federal Property Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended.]] shall be suspended as it pertains to the donation or transfer of surplus property that is directly related to the COVID-19 response, limited to, medical supplies or person protective equipment being transferred to the North Dakota Department of Health or other state agency, political subdivisions, or any eligible charitable organizations." - Office of Governor Doug Burgum (4/8/20)

"Hospitals and physicians are permitted to access and use commercial laboratories for the analysis of COVID-19 tests to facilitate and maximize the testing of Ohioans. Physicians should monitor the time it takes to get test results and, if the time is unacceptable, healthcare providers should resume sending specimens to an Ohio hospital system laboratory or the Ohio Department of Health Public Health Laboratory for more timely processing." - Ohio Department of Health (4/20/20)

"The requirement for commercial motor vehicles traveling into or through the State of Ohio to file an application for and receive a single trip permit as required by section 5728.03 of the Ohio Revised Code and the International Fuel Tax Agreement is hereby waived for commercial motor vehicles engaged in transporting emergency relief supplies to affected areas of the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Mike DeWine (4/16/20)

"Any medical professional who holds a license, certificate, or other permit issued by any state that is a party to the Emergency Management Compact evidencing the meeting of qualifications for the practice of certain medical services… shall be deemed licensed to practice in Oklahoma... " - Office of Governor J. Kevin Stitt (3/17/20)

"Removal of barriers of entry for retired medical professionals from re-entering the workforce. Medical professionals who have lapsed or inactive licenses or certifications may have their single-state license or certification reinstated if they submit a reinstatement application and fee proscribed by their respective licensing boards and meet the qualifications for licensure or certification..." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"As long as this Executive Order is in effect a licensed physician shall be able to supervise any number of Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioners, and shall be able to supervise the Physician Assistants, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Practitioners using remote or telephonic means." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"State certificate of need requirements for adding beds are waived and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations, including waivers of certain regulations due to COVID-19 emergency, will pre-empt state statutes and rules relating to expanding capacity." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Oklahoma State regulations requiring Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) certification for testing laboratories are hereby suspended until further notice for the universities named below and for the narrow purposed described herein." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Any statutory or rule-based time requirements for completing training and becoming certified as a peace officer for duly appointed or elected peace officers during the existence of this emergency are hereby waived during the period of the emergency and for thirty days after the emergency is declared to be over." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"For the duration of the health emergency declared herein, any physical space offered and found to be safe for patient care by a Medicare-or Medicaid-certified and Oklahoma-licensed hospital (including psychiatric and critical access facilities) or skilled nursing facility shall be deemed an annex to a provider's license." - Office of Governor Kevin Stitt (4/8/2020)

"Nik Blosser, Gov. Brown's chief of staff, said the state would immediately take steps to expand the health care workforce, by automatically renewing the license of any medical professional whose license had recently expired, for instance." - KGW8, NBC (3/16/20)

"Effective immediately today, until April 11 (two weeks from effective date), retail facilities of Class 1 flammable liquid transportation fuels [formerly] prohibited from offering self-service refueling shall: 1. Prepare, implement and enforce social distancing policies consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority, 2. Require an attendant to be on duty to supervise self-service refueling consistent with the social distancing policies and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through sanitization measures, and 3. Designate an employee at each station to implement and enforce the social distancing policies." - Office of State Fire Marshal (3/28/20)

"Health care professionals licensed under any of the Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) licensing boards can provide services to patients via telemedicine during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/18/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request for a suspension to allow expedited temporary licensure to practitioners in other states to provide services to Pennsylvanians, for the duration of the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/18/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to allow the suspension of certain regulations concerning Certified Nurse Midwives. The Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs identified several regulations that could limit or delay the number of available practitioners to provide much-needed assistance." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"In order to increase the number of practitioners available to respond to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend the limitations on the number of institutions with which a medical doctor can be affiliated and the requirement to report those affiliations to the Board of Medicine for the duration of the disaster declaration. The Governor has suspended the institutional-license requirement that limits qualified medical doctors to practicing at no more than two (2) affiliated facilities." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend the requirement for physical presence of notaries who are court reporters/stenographers participating in criminal, civil and administrative proceedings in this Commonwealth." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/21/20)

"The Department of State has waived certain administrative requirements for nurses, including temporarily extending license expiration dates and waiving associated fees during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/21/20)

"In order to increase the number of health-care practitioners available to respond to the COVID-19 emergency, Governor Wolf has granted the Department of State’s request to suspend some licensing requirements related to psychology; social work, marriage and family therapy and professional counselors." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"In order to allow physician assistants practicing under the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine to more easily and effectively assist with emergency response efforts to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend requirements pertaining to written agreements and several other items." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"The Wolf administration is removing barriers for pharmacies to provide services for Pennsylvanians in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Wolf has granted a request from the Pennsylvania Department of State to suspend certain pharmacy regulations to enable more flexible and available services during the coronavirus emergency." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/22/20)

"In order to increase the number of health care practitioners available to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and to ensure continuity of patient care and services, Governor Wolf has granted the Department of State’s request to suspend some licensing and regulatory requirements that will allow individuals in the healthcare field who have inactive licenses or have allowed their Pennsylvania license to expire, to seek reactivation and immediately resume work within their scope of practice, provided their inactive or expired license is/was in good standing." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/25/20)

"Restrictions requiring a CRNP practice within a specific clinical specialty are suspended. Restrictions which prohibit CRNPs from prescribing drugs outside of the established formulary are suspended. On an initial application for prescriptive authority, the State Board of Nursing will require only one collaborative physician and one substitute physician. During the emergency period, for changes to an existing prescriptive authority collaborative agreement (PACA), the Board of Nursing will suspend Board pre-approval requirements..." - Pennsylvania Department of State (3/20/20)

"Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order to afford health care practitioners protection against liability for good faith actions taken in response to the call to supplement the health care provider workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (5/6/2020)

"Suspends or removes a host of regulatory barriers that would otherwise impede or prevent out-of-state, retired or other qualified practitioners from providing services where needed in the Commonwealth." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (5/6/2020)

"Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 841 today that helps local communities and businesses respond to the COVID-19 emergency and protect the public. The bill... allows remote public meetings and notarization of documents so online vehicle sales can resume." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"The governor will sign Senate Bill 841 later today that approves qualified Pennsylvania notaries public to perform remote online notarizations, which will allow auto dealerships to conducted limited car sales and leasing operations through online sales, as a notary is required to complete the transaction." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today began accepting orders by phone for curbside pickup at 176 locations. Phone orders can be placed between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., or until reaching a store’s maximum order capacity each day. Curbside pickups will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. within a few days of order placement. Callers will be guided through each store’s unique inventory. There is a limit of six bottles per order, and credit cards are the only accepted form of payment. At pickup, customers will be required to present identification before the order is delivered." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/20/2020)

"“As we all work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s critical for us to take action that will provide immediate relief for Pennsylvanians and our businesses,” Governor Wolf said. “In addition to extending tax filing and payment deadlines, we are giving taxpayers more time and flexibility in other areas so that they can concentrate on their well-being. This is a needed step that will help everyone during this uncertain time.” This temporary relief for taxpayers will remain in effect through at least July 15, 2020." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/15/2020)

"As part of the effort to help businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Tom Wolf today announced businesses that collect Pennsylvania sales tax will not have to make Accelerated Sales Tax (AST) prepayments over the next three months. That means businesses that normally have a monthly prepayment requirement will not be charged penalties for missing the prepayment deadline during this three-month period." - Office of Governor Tom Wolf (4/14/2020)

"The hospital and nursing facility licensing statutes and rules, including but not limited to the nursing facility bed moratorium statute and rules, and certificate of need statutes and rules, as well as R.I. General Laws 23-6-8 (requiring local authorization of a hospital or camp for communicable disease), are suspended with respect to all Rhode Island hospitals and nursing facilities solely to the extent the services they provide are in response to this Order." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"If, due to capacity, a hospital considers itself unable to provide inpatient care for COVID-19 patients at a level of quality available at other Rhode Island hospitals, patients may be transferred to the nearest hospital location or other appropriate care setting with the capacity to provide care at the community standard at the time, subject to patient choice." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"Nursing facilities may add beds and services and/or operate alternative nursing care sites, including quarantine step-down sites as defined by the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, to address the COVID-19 virus and hospitals may also provide nursing facility services on their premises subject to the approval of the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"The following are deemed and/or affirmed to be "disaster response workers" entitled to immunity under R.I. Gen. Laws§ 30-15-lS(a) and to provide services beyond or without a license as permitted by R.I. Gen. Laws§ 30-15-lS(b}: a. All persons and organizations subject to this Order, including health care workers providing community-based health care, services at surge hospitals and services in existing hospitals, nursing facilities and alternative nursing care sites. However, nothing in this Order provides immunity to such persons and organizations, including health care workers, for negligence that occurs in the course of providing patient care to patients without COVID-19 whose care has not been altered by the existence of this disaster emergency. b. The landlords making the surge hospital locations and alternative nursing care sites available to the State, plus their employees, management companies and contractors providing services to construct, operate or decommission the surge hospital locations." - Office of Governor Gina Raimondo (4/10/20)

"The state medical board can expedite temporary licensure for out-of-state physicians, physician assistants and respiratory care practitioners within 24 hours... There will be no fee." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/14/20)

"I hereby authorize and direct DHEC to suspend, for the duration of the present emergency, pursuant to Regulation 61-112 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations, any necessary and applicable provisions of Regulations 61-15 and 61- 16, which restrict the use of unlicensed beds or space, the conversion of single and double occupancy patient rooms to account for higher patient capacity, or the establishment of wards, dormitories, or other spaces not designated as patient rooms... I hereby suspend the monetary thresholds set forth in Section 102 of Regulation 61- 15 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations for items requiring Certificate of Need Review, to the extent necessary and applicable, so as to permit healthcare facilities to make those capital expenditures and acquire medical equipment deemed necessary to prevent, diagnose, treat, or monitor the progression of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/19/20)

"I hereby authorize and direct the South Carolina Department of Revenue (“DOR”) to implement, interpret, and apply the provisions of this Order, as necessary and appropriate and in accordance with and to the extent allowed by state and federal law, in a manner that will facilitate current holders of a valid Beer and Wine Permit (“Permit”), as set forth below, selling or delivering beer and wine in a sealed container for curbside delivery or pickup and off-premises consumption." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/21/20)

"The South Carolina Department of Transportation and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, including the State Transport Police, as needed, shall waive or suspend application and enforcement of the requisite state and federal rules and regulations pertaining to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, load, and hours of service for commercial vehicles and operators of commercial vehicles responding to the declared emergency in the State of North Carolina or otherwise providing direct assistance to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to protect public health and safety in connection with COVID-19." - Office of Governor Henry McMaster (3/11/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… requiring healthcare providers to obtain a South Dakota controlled substances registration to engage in the prescribing, distributing, or dispensing of any controlled substance within the state, so long as the individual possesses a federal DEA controlled substances registration and a state registration in at least one other state or U.S. territory." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provision… limiting the use of the ground component of an air ambulance transport only from a hospital to the airport and vice versa." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… requiring supervision of physician assistants and advanced life support personnel when caring for or treating COVID-19 positive patients during the COVID-19 State of Emergency." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the regulatory provision… requiring the physical presence of an occupational therapist on the premises where a patient is being cared for by an occupational therapy assistant." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provision… governing the requirement that schools licensed by the Cosmetology Commission may only conduct educational programs on the premises of the school." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

"I temporarily suspend the statutory provisions… governing the requirement that an application for a public grain warehouse license and grain buyer license be notarized." - Office of Governor Kristi Noem (4/15/20)

Gov. Bill Lee lifted licensing requirements for health care professionals to allow them to provide "localized treatment of patients in temporary residences." He is now allowing health care professionals who are licensed in another state to engage in the practice of their profession in Tennessee. - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"Related rules are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to give the Commissioner of Human Services the discretion to waive the child care licensure requirements, including requirements concerning capacity, care categories, grouping, license transfers, and drop-in centers, if necessary to respond to the effects of COVID-19." - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"The provisions... that set forth maximum height, length, and width limitations are hereby suspended in the case of vehicles participating in the response to COVID-19, subject to the following conditions: a vehicle must be transporting emergency supplies, equipment, or mobile structures to affected areas." - Executive Order by Governor Bill Lee (3/12/20)

"Waives the requirement that NPs file notice with the Board of Nursing containing the name of the nurse practitioner, the name of the licensed physician collaborating with the nurse practitioner, and a copy of the formulary describing the categories of legend and non-legend drugs to be prescribed or issued by the nurse practitioner. Waives the requirement for chart reviews. Waives the requirement that a supervising physician visit remotes sites every 30 days during the pandemic." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

"The provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 19, Part 1, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-03-.01 through Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-03-.25, and Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0880-02-.18 are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to relieve physician assistants from the following requirements: (1) filing a notice of authorization for prescribing form with the Committee on Physician Assistants containing the name of the physician assistant, the name of the licensed physician collaborating with the physician assistant, and a copy of the formulary describing the categories of legend and non-legend drugs to be prescribed or issued by the physician assistant; (2) having charts reviewed; and (3) having remote sites visited by collaborating physicians every thirty (30) days." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

"The provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-11-1607, are hereby suspended to the extent necessary to allow hospitals that would otherwise be subject to certificate of need requirements to temporarily increase their number of licensed hospital beds at any location or temporarily establish hospital and diagnostic services at any location, if necessary for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, as well as to the extent necessary to facilitate activity authorized by the provisions of this Order and any subsequent order concerning COVID-19." - Office of Governor Bill Lee (3/19/20)

Under this waiver, restaurants with a mixed beverage permit will immediately be able to sell beer, wine, or mixed drinks for delivery "as long as they are accompanied by food purchased from the restaurant." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (3/18/20)

"Physician Assistants (PA), Medical Physicists, Perfusionists, and Respiratory Care candidates for licensure who have completed all other requirements may enter the workforce under a​n emergency license working under supervision prior to taking the final licensure examination." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/5/20)

"The Governor's waiver allows more flexibility between physicians and the PAs and Advance Practice Registered Nurses they supervise including allowing for oral prescriptive delegation agreements to enable rapid deployment of those practitioners during the emergency." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/5/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived certain regulatory requirements to increase the job capacities of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. Under the Governor's waiver, pharmacy technicians can now accept prescription drug orders over the phone — a responsibility typically reserved for pharmacists. The Governor's waiver also allows pharmacy technicians to transfer or receive a transfer of original prescription information on behalf of patients. These two waivers can be utilized at the discretion of pharmacists. Additionally, Governor Abbott has waived certain regulations allowing pharmacy interns to assist pharmacists without the designation of preceptor." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/7/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived certain restrictions to allow Texas higher education institutions to transfer all unexpended student financial aid funds from the Texas College Work-Study (TCWS) program to other financial aid programs that do not have a work-study requirement to ensure students will continue receiving financial assistance. Those programs include the TEXAS Grant program, the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant program, and the Tuition Equalization Grant program." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/22/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain testing requirements for Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) as part of the state's response to COVID-19. As a result of this waiver, new APRN graduates who have applied for APRN licensure with the Board of Nursing and have met all licensure requirements except national certification may begin practicing under direct physician supervision. This graduate approval does not include prescriptive authority." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/22/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has waived certain regulations related to restrictions on physicians-in-training (PIT) permit holders in order to increase health care capacity through the state's response to COVID-19. With these waivers, Texas hospitals and facilities associated with Graduate Medical Education (GME) training programs will be able to utilize PIT permit holders, with proper physician oversight, in areas outside of their GME training program. For example, under these temporary waivers, residents in a surgery residency program can assist in an Emergency Department if a surge of patients is experienced. These waivers will increase the availability of medically trained individuals to help assist the COVID-19 response." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/11/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has adopted an emergency rule to temporarily allow more nurse aides to serve residents in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 response. The emergency rule temporarily allows nursing facilities to hire people to provide nurse aide services without having to complete a full certification program in their first four months of employment. This action will expand the eligible pool of direct care workers and help long-term care providers who may face critical staffing shortages." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott has temporarily waived a series of regulations to lift certain telehealth restrictions and expand telehealth options as Texas responds to COVID-19. These waivers will allow a smart phone or any audio-visual, real-time, or two-way interactive communication system to qualify as a telecommunications technology that can be used to provide certain telehealth services. These waivers apply to speech-language pathologists and audiologists, behavior analysts, hearing instrument fitters and dispensers, and dyslexia therapists and practitioners." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"Governor Greg Abbott today suspended certain statutes concerning appearance before a notary public to execute a self-proved will, a durable power of attorney, a medical power of attorney, a directive to physician, or an oath of an executor, administrator, or guardian. These suspensions temporarily allow for appearance before a notary public via videoconference when executing such documents, avoiding the need for in-person contact during the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Greg Abbott (4/9/20)

"The order allows medical providers to offer a telehealth service that does not comply with the security and privacy standards required by Utah law, so long as the healthcare provider notifies the patient that the service they are using does not comply with those standards, allows them to decline using the service, and takes reasonable steps to ensure that the service provided is secure and private." - Office of Governor Gary Herbert (3/26/20)

"The suspension of enforcement of the following...: Utah Code § 49-11-1204(4)(b), to the extent it requires the participating employer to pay the amortization rate to URS; Utah Code § 49-11-1206(1)(b), to the extent it requires a participating employer to immediately notify URS of the reemployment; Utah Code 8 49-11-1206(3), to the extent it requires a retiree to report the status of the reemployment to URS; and Utah Code § 49-11-1207(1), to the extent it requires URS to take action regarding a violation of Subsection 49-11-1204(2) or (4)(b)." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/30/20)

"In order to better accommodate social distancing measures that help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued an Executive Order suspending certain sections of state statute regarding requirements on signature gathering. Specifically, the order suspends the requirement that petition packets be bound prior to circulation and that a circulator personally witness each signature. Accordingly, the following actions are now permitted: 1) A candidate may send or make available an electronic copy of the signature page of a signature packet to any interested voter. The candidate is not required to furnish a cover page or circulator page to the interested voter. 2) An interested voter may print and physically sign the signature page. 3) The interested voter may send the pages back to the candidate via regular mail, fax, or e-mail. 4) The candidate may assemble any returned signature pages and then submit the signature packet to the election officer in-person or via designated agent. The packet does not require a circulator page." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/26/20)

"These orders... aim to help lessen the burden on establishments with liquor licenses, which are either temporarily closed or operating on a limited basis... Facilitate returns of product to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control by licensees impacted by recent health orders." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (3/19/20)

"I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, hereby order the following: 1. Executive Order 2020-7 is rescinded and replaced by this Order. 2. Enforcement of the following statutes is suspended: a. Utah Code § 26-60-102(9)(b)(ii); and b. Utah Code § 26-60-103(4)(a) to the extent that it interferes with a medical provider's ability to offer telehealth services." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (5/15/2020)

"I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, hereby order the suspension of enforcement of the following statutes as applied to a covered vehicle, as defined below: ... 2. Utah Code § 41-1a-201(1), requiring a motor vehicle, combination of vehicles, trailer, semitrailer, vintage vehicle, off-highway vehicle, vessel, or park model recreational vehicle in this state to be registered prior to operation by a person or automated driving system; 3. Utah Code § 41-1a-202(3), requiring a motor vehicle, combination of vehicles, trailer, semitrailer, or vintage vehicle to be registered within 60 days of the owner establishing residency in Utah; 4. Utah Code § 41-1a-218(1), requiring a person who, after making application for or obtaining a vehicle registration, moves from the address named in the application to notify the Division of the person's old and new address within 10 days of moving; 5. Utah Code § 41-1a-220(1), requiring the owner of a vehicle whose registration card is lost, mutilated, or becomes illegible, to immediately apply for a duplicate registration card; 6. Utah Code § 41-1a-703, requiring a transferee, before operating or permitting the operation of a transferred vehicle on a highway, to complete certain requirements, including obtaining a new registration for the transferred vehicle; 7. Utah Code §§ 41-1a-1101(1)(e) and (f), permitting the Division or a peace officer to seize and take possession of any vehicle or vessel operated without proper registration; 8. Utah Code § 41-1a-1303(1), prohibiting a person from driving or moving, and an owner from knowingly permitting to be driven or moving, upon any highway any vehicle of a type required to be registered in Utah that is not properly registered or for which a certificate of title has not been issued or applied for, or for which the required fee has not been paid; 9. Utah Code § 41-22-3(1)(a), prohibiting the operation or transportation of an unregistered off-highway vehicle on any public land, trail, street, or highway in Utah; and 10. Utah Code § 73-18-7(1)(b), prohibiting a person from placing, giving permission for the placement of, operation, or giving permission for the operation of an unregistered motorboat or sailboat on the waters of Utah." - Office of Governor Gary R. Herbert (4/29/2020)

"Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the official launch of a new online system for license renewals. This new service comes at a critical time for Vermonters and dovetails with the Governor’s March 18 directive for the DMV to transition to online, mail and phone transactions to reduce the spread of COVID-19." - Office of Governor Phil Scott (4/10/20)

"I direct the Virginia Department of State Police (VSP) to undertake the following measure: Suspend the enforcement of Motor Vehicle Safety Inspections (MVSI) required under § 46.2-1157 of the Code of Virginia." - Office of Governor Ralph Northam (3/19/20)

""That order lifts our certificate of public need restrictions, so that our health commissioner can give hospitals and nursing homes the authority to add the beds they need without going through red tape," Northam said, during a Saturday morning press briefing. "They can act quickly to respond to the needs in this fast-changing situation."" - Patch (3/21/20)

"Under RCW 70.15.050, while an emergency proclamation of the Governor is in effect, a volunteer health practitioner who is licensed in another state may practice in Washington without obtaining a Washington license if he or she is in good standing in all states of licensure and is registered in the volunteer health practitioner system." - Washington Department of Health (3/2020)

"I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above-noted situation, and under Chapters 38.08, 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a state of emergency continues to exist in all counties of Washington State, that Proclamation 20- 05 and all amendments thereto remain in effect as otherwise amended, and that Proclamation 20- 05 is amended to waive and suspend specified statutes and regulations that prevent, hinder or delay action that is necessary to increase the availability of long-term care facility beds required to meet the unprecedented demands being imposed on Washington State’s health care system by the COVID-19 pandemic." - Office of Governor Jay Inslee (3/30/20)

"The bill passed at the most recent meeting has… allowed for delivery and carry-out sales by restaurants of beer/wine, if sold along with prepared food (pending written restaurant-by-restaurant approval by the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration)." - Council of the District of Columbia (3/17/20)

"Governor Jim Justice today announced that West Virginia residents can enjoy a month of free fishing. Beginning today through Friday, April 24th, the requirement to possess a fishing license to fish in state-regulated waters has been waived for state residents. Anglers must practice safe social distancing." - West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (3/27/20)

"The third provision of the order allows physicians with a pre-existing relationship with a patient to refill an existing prescription for a Schedule II opioid medication without an “in-person” examination but still mandates that the physician evaluate the patient by other means and determine whether a refill is safe and appropriate in the physician’s judgment." - Office of Governor Jim Justice (3/31/20)

"Any health care provider with a valid and current license issued by another state may practice under that license and within the scope of that license in Wisconsin without first obtaining a temporary or permanent license." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"The following language is suspended: "providing such practice is entirely limited to the medical education facility, medical research facility, or medical school where the license holder is teaching, conducting research, or practicing medicine and surgery, and is limited to the terms and restrictions established by the board."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"A physician providing telemedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of a patient who is located in this state must have a valid and current license issues by this State, another state, or Canada." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"The following language is suspended: "and may not exceed the scope of practice of the physician or podiatrist providing supervision. A medical care task assigned by the supervising physician or podiatrist to a physician assistant may not be delegated by the physician assistant to another person."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (3/27/20)

"This bill establishes a civil liability exemption for persons who manufacture, distribute, or sell emergency medical supplies to respond to the public health emergency during the public health emergency related to COVID-19 declared by the federal secretary of health and human services or the national emergency related to COVID-19 declared by the president." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"The bill also provides that any charitable organization that distributes free of charge emergency medical supplies received from a manufacturer, distributor, or seller is immune from civil liability for a death or injury caused by the emergency medical supplies." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill creates an alternative authorization for a pharmacist to extend a prescription during the period covered by a public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, and for 30 days after the conclusion of that public health emergency." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill conforms state law for instructional programs for nurse aides to the federal law requirements for Medicare and Medicaid. Specifically, the bill prohibits DHS from requiring an instructional program to exceed the federally required minimum total training hours or minimum hours of supervised practical training, which is clinical experience, specified in the federal regulation. The current federal regulation requires no less than 75 hours of training with at least 16 of those hours being supervised practical training." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) today announced two pilot programs that will safely address a backlog of demand: Individuals under age 18, who successfully complete their required training and have the endorsement of a parent or guardian will be able to get their probationary driver license without completing a road test." - Wisconsin Department of Transportation (5/5/2020)

"This bill provides immunity from civil liability for health care professionals and providers and employees, agents, or contractors of those professionals or providers for death, injury, or damages caused by actions or omissions taken in providing services to address or in response to a 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak during an emergency or disaster declared relating to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. To be immune from civil liability, the actions or omissions must not involve reckless or wanton conduct or intentional misconduct and must occur during a good faith response to the emergency or be substantially consistent with either a direction, guidance, recommendation, or other statement made by a federal, state, or local official to address or in response to the emergency or disaster or any published guidance of DHS or the federal Department of Health and Human Services relied upon in good faith." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill prohibits DHS from requiring an ambulance service provider, emergency medical services practitioner, or emergency medical responder that holds a credential to renew the credential or to meet renewal requirements during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72... This bill exempts certain health care provider credentials issued by credentialing boards in the Department of Safety and Professional Services from having to be renewed during the period covered by the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, through the 60th day after the conclusion of that emergency (exemption period)." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes former health care providers to obtain a temporary credential granted by DSPS and provide health care services for which they have been previously licensed or certified. Under the bill, DSPS may grant a temporary credential to a person who applies and was at any time during the previous five years, but is not currently, any of the following, if the person's credential was never revoked, limited, suspended, or denied renewal: 1) a physician, physician assistant, or perfusionist; 2) a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife; 3) a dentist; 4) a pharmacist; 5) a psychologist; 6) a social worker; 7) a marriage and family therapist; 8) a professional counselor; 9) a clinical substance abuse counselor; or 10) a practitioner holding a credential to practice a profession identified by DHS." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes health care providers licensed in another state or territory to obtain a temporary credential granted by DSPS and provide health care services for which they are licensed or certified. Under the bill, DSPS may grant a temporary credential to a person who applies and holds a valid, unexpired credential granted by another state or territory that authorizes the person to act as any of the following: 1) a physician, physician assistant, or perfusionist; 2) a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or nurse-midwife; 3) a dentist; 4) a pharmacist; 5) a psychologist; 6) a social worker; 7) a marriage and family therapist; 8) a professional counselor; 9) a clinical substance abuse counselor; or 10) a practitioner holding a credential to practice a profession identified by DHS." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"This bill authorizes state agencies, authorities, local governments, the legislature, and the courts to suspend, during the public health emergency declared on March 12, 2020, by executive order 72, deadlines and training requirements that they administer or enforce. The bill excludes deadlines relating to the filing or payment of taxes and deadlines relating to an election." - Wisconsin State Legislature, AB1038 (4/14/20)

"Requires Level I local health departments to conduct a community health assessment at least every five years. Suspended as follows: "Conduct a community health assessment resulting in a community health improvement plan at least every 5 years."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Requires Level I local health departments to develop a community health improvement plan at least every five years. Suspended as follows: "Develop a written community health improvement plan at least every 5 years, by assessing applicable data, developing measurable health objectives, and partnering with persons, agencies, and organizations to cultivate community ownership throughout the entire development and implementation of the plan."" - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Sets staffing requirements for clinics. Suspended as follows: (2) In addition to the clinic administrator, the clinic shall have a sufficient number of qualified staff members available to provide outpatient mental health services to consumers admitted to care. Except as provided ins. DHS 35. 12 (2m), the clinic shall implement any one of the following minimum staffing combinations to provide outpatient mental health services: (a) Two or more licensed treatment professionals v.rho combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 60 hours per 'Neek. (b) One or more licensed treatment professionals who combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 30 hours per week and one or more mental health practitioners or recognized psychotherapy practitioners who combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 30 hours per week. (c) One or more licensed treatment professionals v.rho combined are available to provide outpatient mental health services at least 37.5 hours per week, and at least one psychiatrist or advanced practice nurse prescriber who provides outpatient mental health services to consumers of the clinic at least 4 hours per month." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Describes how clinical supervision shall be accomplished. Suspended as follows: "(d) Clinical supervision shall be accomplished by one or more of the following means: 1. Individual, face to face sessions with staff to review cases, assess performance and give feedback; 2. Individual, side by side sessions in which the supervisor accompanies an individual staff member to meet with individual clients in regularly scheduled sessions or crisis situations and in which the supervisor assesses, teaches and gives feedback regarding the staff member's performance regarding the particular client; or 3. Regular client report or review staff meetings and treatment planning staff meetings to review and assess staff performance and provide staff direction regarding individual cases. (e) For every 20 clients or every 4 0 hours of direct service in the CSP, the clinical supervisor shall spend at least 4 hours a weekly: providing supervision." - Office of Governor Tony Evers (5/4/2020)

"Sets requirements for in-person written examinations for operator certification for waterworks operators. Status: Suspended in part as follows: “Examinations and on-the-job experience shall be used to determine knowledge, skill and ability of the applicant to perform duties at a waterworks. A score of 75% or higher shall be a passing score on each written examination. An applicant desiring to be certified to perform duties at a waterworks shall submit a completed application to the department at least 28 days prior to the established date of a written examination on an application form provided by the department. Fees as outlined in s. NR 114.06 shall accompany the application. Applicants shall be notified of their eligibility for examination.” - Office of Governor Tony Evers (4/17/2020)

"Requires University of Wisconsin System unclassified staff report outside activities annually by April 30. Status: Suspended in part as follows: “Each unclassified staff member engaging in outside activities reportable under this section shall annually, on or before April 30, file a report of outside activities with his or her dean, director or other appropriate administrator.” - Office of Governor Tony Evers (4/17/2020)

"The Department of Transportation Director, or his designee, shall allow a ninety (90) day grace period from the expiration date of Wyoming driver licenses and identification cards expiring between March 15, 2020, and June 1, 2020, to reduce the burden on members of the public and to limit interaction with state employees and governmental offices." - Office of Governor Mark Gordon (3/24/20)

"For the next thirty days, businesses in Albuquerque will temporarily be allowed to use any type of plastic bag for their customers and the City’s Environmental Health Department will suspend enforcement of the plastic bag ban citywide. Businesses are still encouraged to use paper bags if available." - City of Albuquerque (3/26/20)

"Mayor Sean Flower was concerned curbside and delivery food services would not be enough to keep these independent restaurants operating, so he stepped in and made the decision to pass an executive order that allows restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages [through curbside or delivery]." - Fox 2 Now (3/27/20)

The order modified "any and all City of Los Angeles regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages to “allow (i) sales of alcoholic beverages by restaurants for off-site consumption are hereby permitted for delivery and take-out and (ii) sales, by retail stores, of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption, including deliveries and extended sales hours, from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily." - Office of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti (3/23/20)

The order also provides that, “Parking enforcement will be relaxed and an extended grace period will be given to vehicles owned and operated by employees or employers who are engaged in manufacturing or healthcare activities listed as essential under the March 15, 2020 Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority and located in permanent or temporary industrial, manufacturing, or commercial zones of the City of Los Angeles.” - Office of Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti (3/23/20)

"Because of the economic impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on Manteno businesses, village board members have agreed to waive all liquor license permit fees and gaming/amusement permit license fees for the fiscal year 2021, which begins May 1, 2020." - Daily Journal (4/3/20)

"The City of Pocatello is waiving the three percent credit/debit card processing charge for payments made to the City of Pocatello. The charge was previously applied to all credit/debit card transactions. The charge was added to credit/debit card payments in October 2019 to help offset the processing costs incurred by the City for those types of payments." - East Idaho News (4/6/20)

"Any sale of sealed cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages to customers taking delivery of prepared food from a restaurant within the City, also licensed to serve on-sale alcoholic beverages by way of “take-out,” “curbside delivery,” “drive-through,” or by other lawful means of delivery shall be deemed to be “on-sale” service or sale of such alcoholic beverages. Delivery of prepared food without any accompanied sale of alcoholic beverages may be delivered by agents or third party delivery services. Employees who deliver alcoholic beverages must be at least twenty-one (21) years old and be able to provide proof of age if asked by the City of West Fargo." - City of West Fargo (3/25/20)

"The “bag ban” restricts businesses from distributing single-use plastic bags under certain circumstances. It was originally slated to start July 1, but the council voted Monday, May 11, to push it back one year to July 1, 2021. Westminster was the third municipality in Maryland to adopt a plastic bag ban. The postponement was motivated by the effect on businesses whose operations will likely still be affected by the coronavirus come July 1. The council also considered that many consumers and retailers are not comfortable with bringing reusable bags into stores at this time, which partially eliminates one of the alternatives to single-use plastic bags." - Carroll County Times (5/15/2020)

This list will be updated constantly as rules continue to be suspended. If you know of a rule suspension not included above, please send to ideas@atr.org.

Ronald Reagan paved the path to the WTO. Motivated by an ambition to counter unfair trade, Reagan declared “if trade is not fair for all, then trade is free in name only. I will not stand by and watch American businesses fail because of unfair trading practices abroad.

I will not stand by and watch American workers lose their jobs because other nations do not play by the rules.” Later Reagan launch the Uruguay round GATT negotiations that eventually concluded with the forming of the WTO in 1995 charged with guarding a rules-based trading system with a focus on reducing barriers to trade. Through his insistence negotiating objectives included dramatic lowering of global tariff rates, ensuring national treatment of traded goods, and protection of intellectual property.

By no means has the WTO achieved free-trade or eradicated all unfair trade practices. Recently, Senator Josh Hawley raised some common shortcomings of the WTO in a NYT op-ed, and concluded that it should be abolished. His concerns center on the fact that China, which acceded to the WTO, continues to violate the international trade system's norms without making expected market or democratic reforms. He notes that China uses forced labor and theft of intellectual property with impunity. In return, he claims, the U.S. has seen a flight of jobs overseas, and U.S. agriculture has been undercut at home due to imports.

This contrasts with what Trump’s chief trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, testified to the Senate Finance Committee that “if we did not have the WTO, we would need to invent it” as it “offers many opportunities for the United States to advance our interests on trade.” It is also not legally possible to abolish the WTO unilaterally. Instead, a few days later, Hawley introduced a bill to take the U.S. out of the WTO. Such a joint resolution is unamendable, does not require committee approval, and cannot be delayed. In other words, if Hawley’s resolution reaches the Senate floor within 90 legislative days after the submission of USTR’s February 28 report, it will force a Senate referendum on the merits of the United States remaining in the WTO.

Hawley’s concerns are legitimate. It’s worth considering if leaving the WTO would resolve the issues he raises while avoiding harmful unintentional consequences.

Overall, since the founding of the WTO, global tariffs have been cut in half, global trade increased from $58 billion in 1948 to above $20 trillion today. Global trade openness, the sum of imports and exports as a share of global GDP increased from 5 percent to 22 percent (peaking just before the financial crisis). U.S. has reaped the most economic value from membership adding $87 billion to the economy. While those left outside the WTO have seen their exports decrease and GDP contract.

Inside the WTO, U.S. exports benefit from a relatively low Most-Favored Nation tariff rate imposed by partners and U.S. importers from a very low average 3.3% MFN tariff rate imposed by Washington D.C. Outside the WTO, imports to the U.S. will face an average 32% tariff rate. U.S. exports will also face discriminatory tariff rates imposed by other countries and designed with same goal in mind- to encourage membership in the trade organization.

Inside the WTO the U.S. benefits from lower trade barriers with all 164 country members, allowing our market-based economy to concentrate on working to its comparative advantage. Since joining the WTO, industrial output increased 50%, 32 million jobs have been added, and nonfarm compensation has risen 32%.

As a member of the WTO the U.S. has access to a predictable process-oriented dispute resolution system. The U.S. wins 85.4 percent of its WTO dispute cases. In particular, the United States gets good results, when defending its own policies towards China. Between 2002-2018 the US had won 11of out 24 cases against China.

Indeed, the system could be improved to further restrain bad actors, reform appellate panel decisions, and address unresolved trade barriers such as subsidies and e-commerce. Outside the WTO, the U.S. will be immediately hit with higher tariffs and be exposed to an even more illiberal trade order. It would create radical uncertainty in the markets undermining our comparative advantage and provide little certainty towards resolving trade disputes.

Persistent, illicit trade practices and stalled reforms at the WTO seriously hinder American importers and exporters from experiencing the full benefits of a free market. However, it is not clear that withdrawal from or abolishment of the WTO will resolve these issues or avoid creating new barriers.

Americans for Tax Reform recognizes the Georgia, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina, and West Virginia incumbents and candidates who have taken the Taxpayer Protection Pledge ahead of the June 9 primary election. The Pledge is a written commitment to hardworking taxpayers and to the American people to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

“By signing The Pledge to the voters, these candidates and incumbents demonstrate that they will safeguard taxpayers from higher taxes,” said Grover Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform. “Pledge signers understand that government should be reformed in a way so that it spends and takes less taxpayer dollars, and will oppose tax increases that prolong failures of the past.”

New candidates sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge regularly. For the most up-to-date information on this race or any other, please visit the ATR Pledge Database.

This legislation restores congressional intent over the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) by allowing small businesses to deduct business expenses paid using loans received through the program.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created the PPP to provide small businesses impacted by COVID-19 with emergency liquidity so they could continue making payroll and meeting other business expenses.

However, on April 30, the IRS released Notice 2020-32, which prohibited businesses from deducting expenses paid with a PPP loan such as payroll, rent, and utility expenses, even though these expenses would otherwise qualify as ordinary, tax deductible business expenses.

Denying the ability of small businesses to deduct expenses paid with PPP loans will impose an additional tax burden on these businesses that will erode a portion of the financial assistance granted through the program. This will only harm small businesses across the country as they attempt to survive and re-engage in commerce in the wake of the pandemic. A recent second tranche of PPP loans averaged just $79,000 per business, so the financial assistance businesses receive is relatively modest.

The IRS Notice clearly disregards Congressional intent as Section 1106(i) of the CARES Act clearly states that any PPP loan should be exempt from taxation if such loan is forgiven. Further, Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle recently urged Treasury to reverse course, noting that the IRS Notice “ignores the overarching intent of the PPP, as well as the specific intent of Congress to allow deductions in the case of PPP loan recipients.”

Congress should pass the Small Business Expense Protection Act. This legislation will uphold Congressional intent by allowing small businesses to deduct business expenses paid by PPP loans, a measure that will ensure businesses do not face additional taxation from COVID-19 relief measures.

The Trump administration is expanding options for retirement savings by allowing Americans with a 401k to invest in private equity funds.

The Department of Labor (DOL) today announced it is issuing guidance allowing private equity investments to be a component of professionally managed investment funds offered to Americans with a defined contribution benefit plan.

Previously, Americans with a 401(k) were unable to invest in private equity funds, even though this investment option was widely used by public pension funds and large investors. The Trump administration’s deregulatory action will open up private equity investment to the roughly 80 million American families and individuals that actively participate in a 401k or other defined benefit plan.

“The Trump Administration’s decision to allow Americans to invest in private equity with their 401(k)s is a big win that will give every family saving for retirement more options,” said Grover Norquist, President for Americans for Tax Reform. “Big pension plans already had this option. Now everyone does.”

Today, ATR President Grover Norquist sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in support of the Section 301 investigations into the Digital Services Tax efforts of nine countries and the European Union. The full text of the letter can be read below, and here.

Dear Representative Lighthizer:

I support and commend your efforts to initiate 301 investigations into Digital Services Taxes that have been adopted or are being considered by the European Union, India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Turkey, Italy and Brazil.

Numerous countries are violating the international rules governing tax jurisdictions. It is the dream of every politician to tax people who cannot vote him or her out of office.

The already imposed or considered Digital Services Taxes are designed in a way to exclusively target American companies as there is no comparable digital industry in those nine countries listed above and the European Union.

Any Digital Services Tax will impose a financial burden on American companies and workers.

Digital Services Taxes pose unprecedented dangers to tax competition, innovation, and American and worldwide economic growth. The new

taxes represent a dramatic and irreversible shift for the international tax

system. We had hoped that the escalation of this issue could be avoided. These taxes damage the relationships with the United States and could lead to a spiral of retaliation.

It is of the utmost importance for the United States to make its voice heard on every level and to take stronger action in order to counsel

those countries and the European Union to refrain from their unilateral actions that damage American workers.

The focus should now be on multilateral solutions that are being developed by the OECD at a global level, but as always, we strongly caution against tariff remedies.

I thank you again and encourage you to continue this process. Should you have any questions or comments please contact Andreas Hellmann at ahellmann@atr.org

Civil asset forfeiture reform is overdue in many states. Currently, 19 states require a criminal conviction for forfeiture, 16 require a criminal conviction to forfeit property in civil court, and 3 have abolished forfeiture. That is tremendous progress, but leaves plenty of work to be done.

Arizona is one state that still allows authorities to take property from innocent parties, and the process to attempt to get that property back is complex, and the window to act is short.

Arizona lawmakers had a chance to fix this with Senate Bill 1556, which ATR strongly supported. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Eddie Farnsworth (R–Gilbert), would have required that a person be convicted of a crime before law enforcement can attempt forfeiture, with some reasonable exceptions, like if a defendant fled the state. Another change the bill would have made is that the state would no longer be able to seize the property of people who didn’t know their assets were used in the commission of a crime. In a system where people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, these changes are reasonable and long overdue.

Despite passing the Senate unanimously earlier in the year, the House recently rejected the bill. Incredibly, it was unanimous Democratic opposition that killed the legislation.

Why would Democrats vote to give police the power to take innocent peoples’ property? According to the Arizona Capitol Times, Rep. Kirsten Engel (D-Tucson) admitted that the status quo leads to abuses by law enforcement, but “she could not support such a change without also finding a way to ensure that counties have the money they need.”

Basically, Democrats said that even though the system tramples on individual rights it should remain in place because it generates money for the government. In other words, they think the state should be allowed to steal from people because they budgeted around it.

Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich falsely claimed the bill would have prevented prosecutors from putting a lien on a suspected criminal’s property. Basically, their argument was the bill would have allowed criminals to liquidate their assets before they are officially convicted of a crime, thus preventing the state from being able to seize property until it is too late. However, as Sen. Farnsworth noted, this is simply untrue. His bill would have allowed prosecutors to place liens on property, but they would have to show said property is evidence in a pending case—in other words, prosecutors would not be permitted to target assets unrelated to the crime in question.

A study by the Institute for Justice found that most forfeitures in Arizona involve small sums of money—56 percent were for less than $1,000, and only 20 percent of defendants contesting forfeiture had attorneys. This means that the system is mostly used to target individuals, not large drug cartels or big-time criminals as forfeiture’s defenders claim.

The study also found that although the government almost always wins forfeiture cases, less than half of forfeitures are tied to a criminal conviction. Moreover, despite claims to the contrary, forfeiture is almost never used to compensate victims of crimes. In 2018, victims were compensated in four of the 1,469 forfeiture cases statewide, meaning this happens less than .3 percent of the time.

Despite all this, and the reality that minority communities are often the target of asset forfeitures, Democrats said no, no due process, no right to your property, no innocent until proven guilty. If we need the money, injustice is fine.

Especially in light of recent events, there is no excuse not to pass this reform next session.

Americans for Tax Reform today released a coalition letter signed by over 30 organizations and activists urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to delay excise tax payments for beer, wine, and distilled spirit manufacturers and importers through the end of 2020.

As the letter notes, COVID-19 has forced the closure of retail establishments, tasting rooms, restaurants and bars, a situation that has weakened consumer spending, and threatened the livelihood of small businesses. This decline in commerce has harmed alcohol manufacturers and importers, especially smaller breweries, distillers, and wineries. Delaying payments of excise taxes is a modest step toward helping manufacturers and importers:

“Deferring excise tax payments will help these businesses receive much needed emergency liquidity and allow them to prioritize paying workers and meeting expenses over making tax payments. This is a modest step toward helping businesses, as these taxes will eventually be repaid.”

Treasury has already utilized its legal authority to postpone excise taxes for the second quarter of 2020. Moving forward, this should be extended through the end of 2020.

In addition, it is imperative that any excise tax deferral apply equally to importers. As the letter notes, there is no reason to exclude or limit importers given they face the same excise taxes as products manufactured in the U.S, and face the same economic challenges.

The Q2 excise tax deferment imposed burdensome requirements on importers by requiring “significant financial hardship,” which U.S. Customs and Border Protection defined as a loss of more than 40 percent in revenue. This is the wrong approach – excise tax deferral should be available equally to all alcohol manufacturers and importers.

Deferring excise tax payments for distillers, breweries and wineries through the end of the year is a simple step that will help manufacturers and importers as they look to survive the damage caused by COVID-19.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it is launching Section 301 investigations into Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) from nine different countries and the European Union, namely India, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Spain, Austria, Turkey, Italy, and Brazil. Some DST's have already been imposed while others are under consideration.

These investigations will determine whether those taxes are discriminatory and unfairly target American companies.

On December 2, 2019, USTR completed a similar investigation into the French Digital Tax and concluded that

France's Digital Services Tax discriminates against U.S. companies, is inconsistent with prevailing principles of international tax policy, and is unusually burdensome for affected U.S. companies. Specifically, USTR's investigation found that the French DST discriminates against U.S. digital companies, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon.

As a result, USTR proposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on $2.4 billion of French products. Following the tariff threat from the U.S., and bilateral talks between U.S. President Trump and French President Macron, France agreed to delay the collection of the tax until 2021.

The countries' Digital Taxes that are now under investigation are very similar in their scope and form, as they are designed to tax revenue rather than income and have the purpose of penalizing certain technology companies for their commercial and innovative success.

After more and more countries have decided to unilaterally impose discriminatory digital taxes targeting American companies it is time to act and put pressure on those countries to stops their efforts. Digital Taxes pose an unprecedented danger to the international system of taxation, innovation, and the digital economy.

This partisan legislation is being pushed even though Congress has already acted to help American workers, families, and businesses during the pandemic.

In March, Congress passed the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (CARES) Act, the largest relief package in American history. In April, Congress authorized $310 billion in additional funding for the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the “Paycheck Protection and Health Care Enhancement Act,” pushing the cumulative Coronavirus relief Congress has already authorized to nearly $2.5 trillion.

In stark contrast to the bipartisan CARES Act, Pelosi’s partisan HEROES Act is dead on arrival in the Senate and stands absolutely no chance of being signed by President Trump.

Here are five of the biggest wastes of taxpayer money in the Pelosi plan.

Over $1 trillion in federal bailouts to state and local governments

The HEROES Act contains $500 billion in bailouts to states, $375 billion in bailouts to local governments, and $40 billion in bailouts to tribal and territory governments.

On top of the $915 billion in direct relief, the Pelosi bill contains $81 billion in enhanced Medicaid funding and $100 billion for “dedicated expenses” that would have not existed prior to the pandemic, adding up to $1.08 trillion in bailout cash.

Pelosi is pushing this funding through despite the fact that states have already received funding to offset Coronavirus-related costs, including money for hospitals in both relief packages.

$714 billion of this bailout money is deemed “flexible,” meaning that states can use it to subsidize projects and programs completely unrelated to fighting the Coronavirus.

The $1.08 trillion Pelosi bailout equals the amount of revenue that states collected in FY2019., States and localities are projected to lose a combined $482 billion across FY2020 and FY2021, making this allocation more than double what states are projected to lose in revenue.

The Pelosi plan contains no limitations on how states should spend this money, so irresponsible states will use this windfall to wash away decades of fiscal mismanagement. For example, in 2017, the state pension gap was $1.28 trillion. This means that states would need $1.28 trillion just for their pension systems to be broke.

Federal bailouts in times of crisis has historically led to expansions in state spending, creating a moral hazard and disincentivizing decision-makers from being prudent stewards of taxpayer resources. Following a $20 billion federal bailout for state budgets after a market downturn in 2003, state spending rose by 33 percent in the subsequent five years and state debts increased by 20 percent in the following four years.

Pelosi’s trillion-dollar blank check to fiscally irresponsible states is the wrong approach and would put taxpayers in fiscally responsible states on the hook for bad decisions in other states.

$25 billion bailout for the postal service

The Pelosi plan includes a $25 billion unconditional bailout for the United States Postal Service for “revenue foregone” during the pandemic.

The government-run USPS has problems that far predate the Coronavirus. From October to December 2019, the USPS lost $748 million in revenue. The USPS has accumulated more than $70 billion in debt since 2007.

Without demanding structural changes to ensure the long-term solvency of the USPS, this bill is simply throwing good money after bad.

$3.6 billion to federalize election administration

The Pelosi plan contains a host of provisions that would consolidate federal control over election administration, including mandating 15 days of early voting for the 2020 election and beyond, mandating vote-by-mail for 2020 and beyond, permitting blanket same-day registration, and removing safeguards that prevent voter fraud by absentee ballot.

Congress has rightly worked in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen our elections in the past without pushing unrelated mandates, including approving $425 million in funding to shore up our voting systems in December. In the CARES Act, Congress approved $400 million in funding designed to help states deal with the added costs of safely conducting elections this fall.

States are already taking abundant precautions to make the polls safe for voters, and Republican lawmakers are rightly open to the possibility of further funding for safety-related election measures in a future Coronavirus relief package. In addressing these issues, lawmakers should not follow Pelosi's lead by exploiting the crisis to push left-wing priorities.

$50 million in “environmental justice” grants that stifle economic activity in low-income areas

The HEROES Act contains $50 million in so-called “environmental justice” grants, a slush-fund for state and local governments to subsidize left-wing projects federal taxpayers shouldn’t be responsible for funding.

This program was created to protect low-income communities from unwanted landfills or industrial plants.

In practice, this program has stifled business development and crushed economic opportunity in low-income areas, doing the exact opposite of what left-wing advocates say the program is supposed to do.

The facts are clear: these grants are left-wing social engineering under the guise of helping disadvantaged communities.

$25 million in arts funding

Democrats famously snuck in $25 million in funding to the Kennedy Center in the previous Coronavirus relief package. What happened? The Kennedy Center put 279 full-time employees and 725 part-time staff members on unpaid furlough.

The Pelosi plan wants to do it again by allocating $10 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, $10 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities, and $5 million for the Institute for Museum and Library Services. Adding insult to injury, this funding comes with no conditions that prevent Kennedy Center-style layoffs and furloughs.

All told, the Pelosi plan is a broadly unserious proposal that subsidizes liberal priorities over helping working Americans through the pandemic.